Chennai: The housing department has extended the clemency scheme that saw poor patronage from building owners allowing regularisation of the buildings with violations for further 3 months. The 113-C scheme, announced to give respite to the buildings constructed before July 1, 2007, had attracted a few takers as less than 100 applications were received against 5 lakh unauthorised buildings across the state. Of the 100 applications, 36 were received and being processed by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. The six-month scheme ended on December 21. The new order extending the scheme for 3 more months released on the same day and it will be published in the gazette, said a housing department official.
However, the high fees and the penalty for availing authorisation certificate, which is the main reason for unpopularity, has been not reduced in the new order. “The extension would not help the cause as the fees and penalty remain same. If the government reduces the fees, many will come forward to apply,” S. Ram Prabhu, secretary, Builders Association of India, said. Meanwhile, the housing department has decided to send lock and seal notices to the buildings that have violated the rules. “To coerce building owners to apply, the department has decided to send notices. So that many would come to avert implications. The notices will be given for next three months,” a housing department official said. The official also added that lock and seal actions would be taken on unauthorised buildings after three months.
