The latest move of the GHMC to curb illegal constructions has earned criticism from different quarters of society, mostly for the reported decision to penalise the entire building even for deviations in a single flat.
According to reports, GHMC will levy 100 per cent penalty on the entire building even if a part of it is unauthorised or there is some deviation in the construction. The penalty fine is as per the property tax of that building. Apart from that, a 2.5 p.c. interest of the preceding two years will also be collected from these building owners.
A round table organised by civil society members, citizens and local leaders on Sunday severely criticised the move and felt that it was an effort to fill the coffers by targeting the honest by leaving the violators.“If a building on a 1,000 sq yards area has just 200 sq yards deviation then how fair is it to ask the owner to pay 100 per cent penalty on the entire area he owns. The same goes with apartments and buildings where minor deviations can be found across the city,” said Singi Reddy Srinivas Reddy, floor leader and TDP corporator, GHMC.
The speakers felt that this step will only increase corruption and the bill collectors, valuation officers and other field level officers of GHMC will benefit from it.
U.Gopal Rao of Praja Alochana Vedika questioned on how the GHMC plans to implement this act as it is not easy to survey the constructions in the entire city and look for deviations.
