Karnataka set to implement scheme toregularise unauthorised constructions

The Karnataka government has finally decided to implement ‘Akrama-Sakrama’ (regularisation of unauthorised constructions) scheme in urban areas in the State.

“As per the scheme, which is to come into effect on March 23, owners of buildings can submit applications to the urban local bodies to regularise illegal constructions and construction of houses in revenue sites in urban local bodies (ULBs),” said Karnataka Minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake on Tuesday.

As per the scheme, violations up to 50 per cent and 25 per cent would be regularised in case of residential and commercial properties, respectively.

The department has directed all ULBs, including Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), to issue applications from March 23. Applications would also be made available in the Urban Development website.

Sorake said that under the scheme, violations pertaining to setback, floor area ratio, non-conversion of agricultural land and formation of unauthorised layouts and sites under ULBs would be regularised.

All buildings constructed before October 19, 2013, are eligible for regularisation.

BBMP alone is expected to mobilise ₹5,000 to 6,000 crore by implementing the scheme. A separate fund is expected to be set up in each ULB to park funds received under the Akrama Sakrama scheme, Sorake said.

Though the State government had issued the final notification under the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act in June last year, it was kept pending owing to a stay order by the Karnataka High Court. The court recently gave the green signal to the scheme.

The Congress government is keen on implementing the scheme, particularly in Bengaluru, as BBMP civic polls are expected to be conducted in May. The revenue earnings are attractive as well.

The scheme is expected to help lakhs of house owners and owners of commercial buildings in the State as an one-off opportunity to regularise illegal constructions. The scheme will be implemented in all 213 ULBs, said Sorake.

He said applications received after the due date will not be entertained and owners would be liable to pay heavier penalties besides facing other enforcement measures, including demolition.

The Minister said fee and charges collected would be utilised for development of physical infrastructure and creation of parks and open spaces in the State.

Up to 25 per cent violation setback in residential buildings would attract a fee of six per cent of the total guidance value of the property and eight per cent between 25 and 50 per cent violation in setback norms.

Up to 25 per cent violation in FRA in residential buildings would attract a fee of six per cent of the total guidance value of the property and eight per cent between 25 and 50 per cent violation in FAR.

Guidance value prevailed on October 19, 2013, will be considered for paying penalties and setback violations would be calculated based on the percentage of deviations made on all sides against approved plan.

Adequate number of centres would be opened in cities to receive applications and training to be given to officials to be assigned for scrutiny of applications.

Application is to be submitted along with the fee subject to payment of shortfall if intimated by competent authority and application to be submitted with set of documents containing title document, RTC/Khata, NA conversion order, survey sketch, site plan, location plan, photograph of building etc.

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