Chennai: The corporation of Chennai wants even ordinary buildings to be issued with completion or occupancy certificates, which will be mandatory for obtaining power and water connections.
This move is being planned to reduce unauthorised constructions. At present, only multi-storeyed buildings (MSBs) are issued completion certificates by Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA).
Ordinary buildings include ground floor buildings and ground plus first floor or stilt plus two floors.
Officials told DC that they have held discussions but any change will have to happen at the policy level. This would mean the state government will have to notify changes to the Development Control Rules of the CMDA and the Town and Country Planning Act, in case state-wide implementation is fancied.
“It should serve a logical solution to the problem. Until now, owners of illegal constructions have had no problems obtaining additional power and water connections to unauthorised portions,” said a senior official.
“If this brings about a situation where completion certificate becomes mandatory for every additional floor, then unauthorised constructions may reduce,” the official added.
Flawed property tax assessment procedure is also one of the reasons abetting unauthorised constructions, according to officials. For instance, a property owner with an approved plan or title deed can apply for assessment.
Once a property tax card is obtained, regardless of the building’s violations, metro water and electricity board supply their services as property tax card is considered proof of completion certificates being issued.
When asked to comment on the issue, officials said that it was only one of many flaws. “Owners also have the option to obtain water connection with just the plan permission. One can also pay advance tax even without an assessment order from the corporation. In the case of the electricity board, because it is a commercial body, they supply power to just about any dwelling,” an official noted.
