HYDERABAD: In an attempt to curb illegal constructions on the outskirts of the city, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has decided to clip the powers of gram panchayats in issuing building permissions. According to HMDA commissioner T. Chiranjeevulu, violations have been observed in areas bordering the city like Boduppal and Chengicherla in the east, Manik-onda and Puppalaguda in the west and Pragathi Nagar, Nizampet and Bowrampet in the north.
“Vigilance inspections at Korremula gram panchayat office in the Ghatkesar mandal found serious violations in the sanction of building permissions. We have written to the government to withdraw the Korremula gram panchayat’s authority to sanction building permission and the same was accepted. A memo will be issued soon,” the HMDA commissioner said. This step was taken to give a stern message to other panchayats which will receive the same fate if they don’t mend their present ways.
It has been observed that builders are flouting rules after getting building permissions from the gram panchayat office. After taking permissions for G+2 floors, builders are constructing apartments in violation of rules. The panchayats cannot give permissions for big lay-outs, illegal layouts as well as for multi-storey constructions. In some cases, property owners are colluding with panchayat staff to violate the rules.
HMDA, however, is not rushing with withdrawing the powers of panchayats owing to the shortage of staff. “We are worried about the rush that we could witness if panchayats were stripped of all its powers. Hence we are not in haste. Panchayats can give permissions for smaller constructions. If the powers are removed entirely, applicants will be queuing up in our offices from all over the city and we don’t have the mechanism to handle it. We hope panchayats discharge duties effectively,” an official said.
