Educational institutions built before 2011 can get DTCP approval

Move expected to benefit those operating with partial approval

The Tamil Nadu government has announced that buildings of educational institutions in non-plan areas, which have been there before January 1, 2011, could get clearance from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), and has issued guidelines for the same.

According to a Government Order from the Housing and Urban Development Department, a one-time charge of ₹7.50 per square feet of the floor space index (FSI) area would have to be paid by the institutions concerned as part of the infrastructure and amenities fund. The order was issued on June 14, 2018, and the concession would be valid for a period of three months from that date.

R. Visalakshi, president of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association, said the order would help facilitate the approval process for several schools, which had been functioning with partial approval.

“The existing buildings of old schools were not able to get approved by the DTCP and had been functioning on the basis of an approval from the local bodies as several rules had changed over the years and they had not been able to meet a few norms. This will mean that they can now apply for fresh concurrence,” she said.

‘Worth paying the price’

The consortium of self-financing professional arts and science colleges as well as private schools associations had submitted representations to the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning for according DTCP approval for buildings functioning before 2011.

“While the amenities fee might be high for schools with a larger area, schools will be ready to pay it since it means that through this process, they don’t have to face the possibility of getting their recognition revoked by the Education Department,” she added.

A. Narayanan, director, CHANGEIndia, said the announcement was long-pending.

“There are several schools functioning in the State that fall short of meeting the infrastructural norms. Following the Kumbakonam fire tragedy, several directions have been given to schools, including one that they must comply with the provisions of the National Building Code of India,” he added.