With just a few weeks left for the gram panchayat elections, the State government has unveiled a comprehensive bylaw for construction of residential and non-residential buildings in rural areas. The bylaws make it mandatory for people to obtain a plan sanction for the proposed buildings from their respective gram panchayats (GP). The model bylaws would come into force in the State immediately.
The bylaws provide for imposing fines against any violation of approved building plans. Construction of industries would not be allowed in residential areas. The building plan should contain details with regard to the proposed building, site dimension, details of an extension/modification of the existing building, details of the properties on four sides of the concerned site, type of the proposed building (whether it would be a mud wall structure or pucca cement-brick structure), and direction of the entrance.
It will also specify the extent of area of living rooms, bathroom, kitchen, and parking area of residential houses, nature of the roof (RCC/ Sheet/Tiles), and estimated cost of the structure would be mandatory before starting construction.
Hitherto, panchayats had not been following bylaws while sanctioning building plans of houses, shopping complexes, schools, and other constructions.
Following the High Court order and disputes in various gram panchayats, the government has formulated the model bylaw for all GPs, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj H.K. Patil told presspersons here on Friday. Gram Panchayats, however, have every right to implement the bylaws in accordance with the local conditions, he said.
Drinking water crisis
The government has released Rs. 85.89 crore for tackling drinking water problems in rural areas. Task forces headed by legislators would monitor expenditure. Each taluk would get funds ranging from Rs. 45 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh. A sum of Rs. 130.38 crore had been sanctioned for repairing rural roads, filling potholes and developing mud roads in villages.
