FJCCI’s views key in drafting regularisation plan for unauthorised buildings: Jharkhand MP

MANISH GUPTA

Ranchi, Nov 21: Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji on Monday appreciated Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s decision to incorporate views of key stakeholders for drafting the ‘Plan 2022 to regularize unauthorized construction’ to make it acceptable and effective.

“This is truly a historic day. Days and nights spent in fear of demolition of houses and shops will no longer be there,” she said at an event of the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) after the release of the draft plan.

The state Urban Development and Housing Department has issued a detailed draft proposal to regularise all unauthorised residential and non-residential (commercial) constructions in urban areas of the state built before 31 December 2019.

“I have seen the earlier attempts when officials used to make the plans. And, they were expensive, complex and less takers. I thank the Chief Minister for directing the officials to listen to the chamber’s views,” said Maji, who is also a member of the FJCCI.

As per the draft, buildings of height up to 15 meters with Ground + 3 stories (G+3) structure can be fully regularised if constructed on a plot area of up to 500 sqm (around 5,382 sqft). For those built on more than 500 sqm, regularisation will be done for up to 75% or 500 sqm, whichever is lower.

Regularisation charges (Rs per sqm):

“The government has given a month’s time to share feedback on the proposal. We are very grateful to the government for taking up our 22-year-old demand that had been a major threat to many citizens of the state,” FJCCI President Kishor Mantri said.

The state is estimated to have around 7 lakh unauthorised buildings and of them about 1.5-2 lakh are in Ranchi itself. The process of regularisation will remove the danger of these unauthorised buildings getting demolished any day, the owners will get ownership rights and the state will earn revenue like holding tax.

FJCCI past President Manoj Naredi said, “This is an exceptional scheme and I believe all should take benefit of it. It will not get any better. I believe this will help regularise 90 per cent of the unauthorised constructions in the state. The state has used most of our suggestions in drafting the scheme, including keeping the rates very reasonable.

“Soon we will have an expert committee of builders, architect associations, Credai and our own industry experts to study the draft and remove any complexity left in it. We are also of the opinion that the building height should be 25 meters instead of 15 meters.”

FJCCI past President Vinay Agarwal said, “This draft clearly shows that the government actually wants to solve the issue and not keep it pending as has been the case. Another good thing is that fees paid earlier for map approvals would also be taken into account.”

FJCCI Secretary General Dr Abhishek Ramadhin said, “This is all thanks to Mahua Maji, who led our campaign, and the Chief Minister that our long awaited demand has been accepted.”