Bihar to change its building by-laws

The state govt has also decided to rationalize circle rates in the state

Vociferous protests and forceful suggestions of builders have finally forced the state government to change its building by-laws. The state government has also decided to rationalize circle rates in the state.

These along with several other important decisions were taken in this year's last edition of Udyami Panchayat (Entrepreneur's meet), headed by the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at Rajgir on Monday.

"These by-laws have been created to ensure better and timely delivery of services to the people, "said Industries Secretary Naveen Verma after the meeting, "however, if the builders think that these regulations would create hurdles, then we are ready to talk to them.

Industry bodies have been complaining against uniform by-laws in the whole state. Therefore, the chief minister has ordered the Urban Development Department to create different sets of by-laws for different areas. "

The state government is also ready to change several other provisions of its newly notified building by-laws. For this, the state government has asked some time from the builders.

The state government has also decided to rationalize circle rates in the state. Officials present in the meeting told, "Several builders have raised the point of high circle rates in the state, stating that in some areas the circle rates are higher than the prevailing market rates. They were complaining that this has hurt real estate business in Bihar. Therefore the state government must bring it down, immediately. The chief minister assured them any discrepancies will be removed within a month. "

Kumar has also ordered the Urban Development Department for developing satellite townships near Patna.

"There is virtually no land left in Patna, but the demand is still there. Therefore, the state government has decided to develop satellite townships. For this, suggestions and help from private sector will be invited," Verma told newsperson.

He also stated that the master plans for 20 towns in the state, including Patna, will soon be put in the public domain.