Building regularisation scheme extended

Chennai: After remaining a non-starter for nine months owing to legal hurdles and poor patronage for building regularisation scheme, popularly known as 113-C scheme, the state housing department had decided to extend the scheme for three more months. This would be the second extension as the government had already extended the scheme for three months on December 21.

The scheme was brought into effect on June 22 for six months and after the extension given on December 21, the scheme was to end on Wednesday.

“Orders for further extension of the scheme are getting ready and will be released before Wednesday. The extension will be given for three more months,” a housing department source said.

The scheme received lukewarm response with mere 537 applications against approximately five lakh violated buildings in the state, housing department sources said. Of the total 537 applications, Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) had received 387 applications. 140 applications were submitted to Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) by building owners in Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA).

According to the sources, the applications received under the scheme could not be processed owing to the standing order of Madras high court. “The court had ordered the department to not to take action on the applications and wait till further order. Because of the court order and huge charges, building owners have become uninterested,” the source added.

Questions have also been raised on the effectiveness extension as the government is yet to clear legal hurdles. Meanwhile, country planners suggested that more time should be given to owners. “The government should give at least 5 years to regularise the buildings. As the regularisation charges are high, no one would come forward to apply,” K.M. Sadhanandh, president, association of professional town planners.