Corporation not to cancel occupancy of apartments violating norms
Picture used for representational purpose. (Photo: DC/File)
Kochi: Even as public protests are mounting over the apathy of civic authorities about rampant construction of big apartments in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone norms, Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany has announced that occupancy certificate given to such apartments would not be cancelled.
During the corporation council meeting on Wednesday, which was dominated by a debate on CRZ violations by builders and the encroachment of backwaters, the mayor has made it clear that being a socially committed civic body, it was not possible to cancel the occupancy certificate of apartments and to evacuate the residents.
“Most of the big residential buildings in Chilavanoor have been permitted during the previous LDF regime. No occupancy certificate has been given to any apartment after the findings of the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA),” the mayor said.
Regarding the controversial DLF project, the mayor said that the building permission was given in 2008. Later, in 2010 a stop memo was issued following the findings that the project had violated CRZ norms. Various authorities like the district collector, RDO and Poonithura village officer had reported that the building violated the norms and encroached upon backwaters.
Though Opposition councillors demanded that occupancy certificate of such buildings should be cancelled and criminal procedures should be initiated against DLF builders, the mayor didn’t heed their demand.
“It is the state government and Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau which should take action against the DLF builders as the matter is pending with them. The corporation can only recommend to the government to take action,” the mayor added.
Meanwhile, CPM councillor Adv. M. Anil Kumar demanded that a comprehensive survey of Chilavanoor backwaters had to be done to find out encroachments and also that steps should be taken to confiscate the DLF property as the builders continued construction works even after stop memo was issued.
Official suspended: A section clerk was suspended in connection with providing sanctions to builders violating CRZ norms, Mayor Chammany informed the council. “Explanation will be sought from the official”, he said and added that accounts officer and superintendent will be removed from their posts. The PA to corporation secretary will be given the additional charge of accounts officer, he said.
It was also decided to recommend for a vigilance inquiry on the issue and to submit a request to the Local Self Government Department secretary to initiate departmental action against the officials involved in the scam.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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