HYDERABAD: The menace of illegal constructions in the city is reflected in the number of cases coming up in the Telangana high court – around 2.5 lakh writ petitions in the past five years alone. Now, in a bid to tackle the issue, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) intends to develop an online portal to proactively track all such violations. It also plans to levy a massive penalty on owners and even a notation, ‘unauthorised construction’, on the encumbrance certificate (EC) .
The action comes following the recent direction from the HC to implement stringent actions against all illegal constructions. The unauthorised constructions include additional floors, road encroachments, deviation from approved plan, violation of setbacks, building without proper approvals and occupying govt or private land.
Of the complaints received by the civic body during the Prajavani programme held every Monday, at least 40%-50% are related to unauthorised constructions.
So far this year, GHMC has demolished over 1,000 unauthorised structures throughout the city. However, many property owners continue to escape the notice of GHMC officials, with enforcement measures typically being initiated only after receiving complaints.
“Guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are being formulated to address illegal constructions in the city. Property owners who disregard the speaking orders against ongoing unauthorised structures shall face criminal charges under section 223 of BNS. We will also levy a 400% penalty of the original fee on owners of such buildings,” said GHMC commissioner K Ilambarithi
The GHMC’s planned online portal will track complaints right from the initial stage of notice being issued and subsequent actions such as speaking orders, sealing of property and demolition of structures.
The entire process including specific actions against these unauthorised constructions will be documented.
The GHMC also plans to coordinate with the stamps and registration department to include an ‘unauthorised construction’ notation in the EC, which is the official document verifying a property’s ownership and title status.
“We will send a request to the registration department requesting changes to the EC system, enabling potential buyers to identify unauthorised properties. Such modifications would create deterrence amongst property owners involved in illegal construction,” Ilambarithi added.
GHMC officials said that building owners frequently circumvent govt regulations by initially securing permits for G+1 or 2 structures and then constructing additional floors illegally.
They also flout regulations by transforming residential premises into commercial establishments while benefiting from lower residential tax rates.
Source Homevior.in
