Odisha AG calls for review of irregular building plan approvals
Bhubaneswar: The Accountant General of Odisha has directed the state housing and urban development department to review all irregular building plan approvals or buildings constructed in deviation from approved building plans.
Amar Patnaik, AG (general and social sector) has asked Injeti Srinivas, principal secretary (housing & urban development), Odisha, to take action on unauthorized construction of residential apartments and commercial complexes in Odisha within a fixed time frame. He has also asked to keep the public known about the action taken against such illegal constructions so that there will be more transparency in the system and also for community to cooperate with the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) in this regard.
Even the law courts would appreciate the transparency, equity and fairness in this effort. All cases of irregular/illegal use of properties may be reviewed and resumed for appropriate uses as per approved conditions, added the AG, who is conducting a performance audit on ‘Development and allotment of land/buildings for residential use by BDA. The report includes the period 2007-12 in case of approval of building plans for construction of new buildings and 2002-12 for allotment and sale of land/houses.
The AG pointed out that the enforcement wing of BDA has to be strengthened to detect unauthorized or deviated constructions made in departure from the approved plans. He directed to proceed with the demolition orders passed by the BDA in an unbiased and non-discriminatory manner.
The AG has said that all the cases of undue benefits extended under the BDA scheme ‘Regularisation of unauthorised/deviated constructions through compounding (ROUDCTC)’ including the cases which are not covered under the audit can also be reviewed and dues shall be recovered by them too.
Auction is likely to be made the guiding principle for allotment of land/assets along with certain exceptions. However, this is not yet confirmed. All encroachment cases of government/BDA land may be first reviewed by the government and then take steps for their immediate eviction.
A couple of days ago, the former housing and urban development minister had ordered the state assembly that the government has ordered to demolish 139 illegal apartments in Bhubaneswar. The Odisha government has also has identified 530 projects which have been violating rules formulated by BDA.
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