Kerala to amend rules to regularise unauthorised buildings

The Kerala government today decided to amend the state Panchayat Raj Act and Municipalities Act with an aim to regularise unauthorised buildings, constructed on or before July 31, 2017.
A cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here, took the decision to recommend to governor P Sathasivam to issue separate ordinances to amend the existing Acts, an official release said.
The unauthorised constructions would be regularised without compromising on the safety and strength of the structure and by levying a compound fee, it said.
The revival and addition made to the existing structure would also be brought under the ambit of the regularisation procedure, the release said.

A panel, comprising district town planner, deputy director and secretary of the respective civic body, would be in charge of taking decision on regularising the structures at the panchayat level.
With regard to towns, the charge is entrusted with a committee, comprising district town planner, regional joint director (urban affairs) and secretary of the respective civic body, the release said.

Among other decisions, the cabinet gave permission to the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) to set up an eight mega watt windmill project at Agali panchayat in the tribal hamlet of Attappady in Palakkad district.
Before implementing the programme, NHPC has to obtain the necessary permission from tribals in the area, it said.

The tariff of the power, produced through the proposed project, is to be decided after consulting with the Kerala State Electricity Board, it said.
Five per cent of the revenue from the windmill project has to be given to the tribals, who own the land, via KSEB, the release added.