TDR row as Corporation seeks powers from CMDA to issue development rights certificate

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Chennai Corporation has urged Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority to delegate powers to it so that it can issue Development Rights Certificate under Transferrable Development Rights (TDR),

Sources told Express that Chennai Corporation has passed a resolution seeking the delegation of powers to issue development rights certificate besides transfer of acquired land to Chennai Corporation.

As per the TDR, the government would reimburse a person whose land is acquired for a government project with a development rights certificate, which will give him the right to shift the development rights of that land to any other property within CMA limits. Through the TDR scheme, both the owners of the land as well as the government gains through the scheme.

CMDA sources said that the delegation of powers to issue development rights certificate to corporation is not feasible as it will result in lack of accountability as multiple entities will be providing development rights certificate.

Citing example of Mumbai slum land irregularities, sources said it happened as Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority gave the powers to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharahstra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) resulting in lack of proper records.

Sources said development rights certificate is for multiple utilization as such only a single entity should have the power to issue it. “It should be handled by one office so that it could be controlled. Currently, all the entries are computerized and one doesn’t know whether the corporation will be following such procedure,” sources said.

Interestingly, plans are on to make the development rights certificate a fool proof one by implementing new technology, the sources added.