Illegal buildings in Patiala: Violators to get benefit of one-time settlement policy

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 22

Various buildings constructed in Patiala in violation of the government norms will be benefitted due to the one-time settlement policy launched by the state government for regularising non-compoundable building violations.

As regards the policy, the buildings which meet fire and safety standards and do not compromise on public safety, security and convenience will be compounded within the frame of one year. Officials of the department have noted that unauthorised constructions have been coming-up for the last many years and it is not possible to demolish such buildings. They said the government would compound such buildings on a one-time basis.

Officials said the non-compoundable violations in residential buildings would be settled as per specific charges collected from the applicants, which are different for various corporations and councils. The charges applicable for Patiala city are Rs 150 per square feet of the total non-compoundable area on all floors.

Importantly, 50 per cent of the composition fee is required to be submitted upfront and the balance 50 per cent amount in two equal half-yearly instalments, with 9.5 per cent interest per year. The policy also provides an option of lumpsum payment of the balance amount in which a rebate of 10 per cent will be given.

Officials said the charges for commercial buildings were kept very low which would benefit traders and businessmen.

“The charges for non-compoundable building violations in non-residential buildings in cities, including Jalandhar, Amritsar and Ludhiana, are Rs 375 per square feet. For Patiala it is Rs 300 per square feet of the total non-compoundable area on all floors. The rate is quite low in comparison to those notified in the previous policy”, an official pointed out.

They said the policy also had provisions of compounding basements outside the zoning line at half of the rates.

Officials in the Municipal Corporation said the applications would be finalised within a span of one year of the policy after which there would be no settlement of non-compoundable violations.