Much maligned for allowing unauthorised constructions, the Town Planning wing is turning out to be a saviour for the cash starved GHMC.
In all likelihood it could deliver close to Rs. 500 crore by the month end through building permits and other fees plus penalties collected from Building Penalisation Scheme (BPS) and Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS).
Despite the economy downturn last year too it put up to Rs. 400 crore to the kitty, of course, also thanks to the penalisation schemes.
In that sense, this year it could well equal or surpass property tax collections!
And in order to generate more revenue, pending building plan applications (ground plus four and above of both commercial and residential) of past several months are being expedited.
The building committee has cleared 177 cases of last year and 86 of the pending 150 applications lying with the multi-storied building regulations committee.
Weekly meetings
Another batch of 150 cases is to be cleared soon in the weekly meetings of the committee.
Sizeable revenue is expected to be earned once the plans are cleared by the building and multi-storied building panels as applicants have about a fortnight's time to pay up the necessary fee in full for final plans to be released.
Additional Commissioner (Planning & Projects) K. Dhananjaya Reddy said that notices have also been issued to more than 300 applicants who were yet to pay the requisite fee despite having their plans approved in the last two years.
Following GO 86 (common building rules) applicants could pay just two per cent of the permit fee or a flat Rs. 10,000 to get the initial plan cleared by the committee.
This was taken advantage and several applications were filed but following the economy taking a hit, many did not pay up.
“If they don't pay, the permissions will be cancelled and they have to apply afresh,” said Mr. Reddy. About Rs. 175 crore is to be realised from this exercise while nearly 200 applicants withdrew voluntarily too.
