Withdraw shelter fee, urge property promoters

The shelter fee is 75 % of the I & A charges

For the last few months, property promoters who have submitted building plans for approval are remitting shelter fee apart from the Infrastructure and Amenities charges for projects that are above 3,000 sq.mt.

An official of the Coimbatore Local Planning Authoity told The Hindu that the shelter charges and I & A charges are paid together when the approval is given. The shelter fee is 75 % of the I & A charges.

Property promoters across the State have been asking for withdrawal of the shelter fee.

“This is not just for residential projects. It applies to industrial projects too. We are already paying I & A charges and this is an additional burden,” said one of the builders here.

The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI), Coimbatore, has demanded removal of the shelter fee.

Housing for all projects

At a recent meeting the CREDAI Coimbatore president Rajesh B. Lund said developers are working towards housing for all projects.

In such as a situation, the State Government has levied the shelter fee.

The fee might be passed on to the consumer, depending on the project and the market demand. It affects the property buyers and hence it should be removed.

Mandatory clause

Mr. Lund told The Hindu on Thursday that the State Government has removed the mandatory clause of 10 % housing for economically weaker section in projects on more than 2.5 acre sites. Instead, it has introduced the shelter fee so that the Government can develop affordable housing.