Local Bodies to review OTS policy

Chandigarh

With just 1,200 applications received under the one-time settlement (OTS) policy for non-compoundable violations, the Local Bodies Department had sought public suggestion to review the policy.

The OTS was notified in March this year. “Against expected 30 lakh violations in residential and non-residential buildings in the jurisdiction of urban local bodies across, just 1,200 applications have been received. This means the scheme has not found favour with the intended beneficiaries,” said a senior government functionary in the Local Bodies Department.

In a recently meeting of the Urban Renewal and Reforms Consultative Group, chaired by the Chief Minister, party MLAs in the urban areas pointed towards regularisation charges being on the higher side and unrealistic mandatory parking norms.

Besides, the scheme covered around 20 to 30 per cent of the urban areas, leaving the remaining areas with non-compoundable violations out of the ambit of the scheme.

It has further been pointed out that the change of land use (CLU) has been made compulsory for shop-cum-flats (SCFs) where residential portion is being used for commercial purpose under the provisions of the scheme.

The objective of the scheme was to bring on record all non-compoundable violations in the areas under the jurisdictions of urban local bodies (ULBs) and the Improvement Trusts (ITs) in the state, made till June 30, 2018, giving additional income to the urban bodies.

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has already directed Local Bodies Minister Brahm Mohindra to work out a realistic and people friendly OTS.

Mohindra said since the government had decided to review the present policy, suggestions had been invited from the public and stakeholders till July 21.

Suggestions sought

The Local Bodies Department has sought public suggestion to review the one-time settlement (OTS) policy for non-compoundable violations after only 1,200 applications were received under it.