TN offers concession to educational institutions if they regularize buildings within six months

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

The state government has offered concessions to self-financing professionals, art and science colleges in Tamil Nadu by charging only 50 per cent of the prevailing rate of infrastructure and amenities

charges if they regularize the building constructed prior to July 1, 2007 within the next six months.

A government order was issued on June 26, 2013, in this regard after the Consortium of self-financing professionals, arts and science colleges in Tamil Nadu had requested for reduction of infrastructure

and amenities charges for buildings constructed prior to July 1, 2007 as they were introduced only on June 2007.

Interestingly, the GO states that the concession will be available to buildings like residential, commercial, information technology, group development and special buildings which were constructed on or before

July 1, 2007 with the permission of the local bodies.

“The above concession shall be available to those buildings who apply for planning permission from the member secretary of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and Commissioner of Town and Country Planning within six months from the date of issue of orders,” the notification said.

Interestingly, the government has also heeded to the request from the consortium to relax the condition in Development Control Regulations, which necessitates handing over the Open Space Reservation area to the respective local bodies.

The order states that, “In respect of educational institutions for whom the OSR regulation is applicable, the OSR shall be earmarked and kept open to sky without any construction with the condition that the OSR area should be utilized only as a park and not as a playground by the concerned institutions. The guideline value should not be collected in lieu of OSR area in such cases.”

Builders Association state secretary N Raghunathan welcomed the move. “Such kind of concession should be last one. The government should instead liberalise the rules and make enforcement strict to develop infrastructure and housing,” he said.

He also urged the government to ensure adequate safety as well as availability of parking space is there before regularizing commercial buildings. Chief executive officer of IndiaProperty.com Ganesh Vasudevan also welcomed the move and said it is a step in the right direction.

S Vaidhyasubramaniam, Indian Overseas Bank Chair Professor of Management and Dean - Planning & Development, Adjunct Professor, School of Law SASTRA University, Thanjavur said, “The concessional infrastructure & amenities charges for educational institutions is a welcome move and will help institutions to further academic pursuits. However, the 10 per cent OSR may also include open to sky green playground that can encourage sporting activities than limiting to parks which can be misused.”