The State Urban Development Department (UDD) has put in place fresh deadlines under the Right to Services Act to give faster approvals to construction projects.
The UDD was one of the last remaining departments to set deadlines and designate officers responsible for meeting them under the Maharashtra Right to Public Services Act, 2015. Similar directives were issued under the Central government’s Ease of Doing Business initiative, but State government officers were not held guilty for missing deadlines.
As per the new deadlines, certificates for building commencement will have to be issued in less than 30 days, for plinth in seven days, occupation in eight days and tree-felling permissions within 45 days. The last are issued under section 8(4) of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act.
Local authorities have been given some say in the appointment of officers. “The designations, first and second appellate authorities will be as per actual postings of respective local authorities,” Sanjay Saoji, Deputy Secretary, UDD, said.
To make doing business in the State easier, the government has been getting rid of redundant permissions. Earlier this year, it amended the land revenue code after a standoff between the BMC and the Revenue Department.
