BASS: simple, simpler, simplest
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GHMC’s ‘Self-Scrutinised Statement’ aims at further simplifying building permissions, writes V. Geetanath
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Civic norms: Under the BASS, the prospective applicant for a new building of less than 10 metres can apply for permission without a hassle.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is proposing to make the process of taking building permissions simple even for individual residential structures with a ‘Self-Scrutinised Statement’.
Commissioner S.P. Singh has suggested the Town Planning Department draft such a statement where prospective applicants for a new building of less than 10 metres can apply without much of a hassle. He made the observation after clearing a similar State
ment (now titled ‘Building Application Self-Scrutinised Statement-BASS for short) for buildings of 10 metres and above.
The BASS, a 16-page document was made by Chief City Planner B. Purushothama Reddy and his staff after discussions with subject experts. While it has been hosted on the website (ghmc.gov.in) on Thursday, it also found ready acceptance from stakeholders like builders, structural engineers and architects at a meeting presided over by Mr. Singh. The CCP claims it would bring about uniformity among regulatory staff as well as stakeholders in interpreting regulations. So far, building plan papers submitted and assessment of the town planning staff were filed separately.
Online facility
BASS would enable both to use the application to fill in as well jot down regulatory notes. Applicants can fill in online but have to submit a soft copy as well as a compact disc to the officials concerned for scrutiny to give final approvals. “Our ultimate aim is to ensure an applicant can apply as well as get permission online,” said Mr. Reddy.
“We have done an exhaustive study before finalising it. It has been welcomed by the stakeholders but we feel they would appreciate it better when they start using it. We are open for any suggestion to make it user-friendly,” said Mr. Reddy. BASS has details of all relevant building rules and Government Orders so that builders/architects/engineers need not pour through them separately.
However, overwhelming opinion among builders was to reduce the current one to one-and-a-half month time frame for getting permissions. They also urged setting up an information desk in the head office to clear any doubts while making building plans. Other points raised were an appeal to make a single application for all undertakings, allow submission of ammonia prints and structural drawings after preliminary approvals and single fee structure instead of multifarious fees being charged. The Commissioner took note of the suggestions and said relevant Acts would have to be modified to accept some of them. A single window clearance for obtaining fire service clearances is soon going to fructify with a full-fledged fire and emergency services team getting ready to operate from the head office.
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