writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Airport prepares for radiation leaks

writingonblog uncensored: Chennai Airport prepares for radiation leaks: Chennai: Chennai Airport was exposed for the first time to Radiological emergency exercise conducted by National Disaster Management Author...

Chennai Airport prepares for radiation leaks

Chennai:

Chennai Airport was exposed for the first time to Radiological emergency exercise conducted by National Disaster Management Authority following the directives of Union Ministry of Home Affairs.



Airport Authority of India spokesperson said that it is for the first time such an exercise was conducted in Chennai Airport.



The exercise scenario underlined the preparation in the event of damage of an import cargo consignment carrying high strength radioactive materials.



Cargo handlers, airport fire service, Central Industrial security Force and police were trained to handle the situation while informing the Chemical Biological Radiology Nuclear (CBRN) team and Department of atomic Energy’s Emergency Response Centre in Kalpakkam.



Other stakeholders which include state authorities and Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services took part in the event.



The exercise included evacuation of casualities to designated hospital (Sri ramachandra Medical college) which is an equipped and authorised handling for handling patients in case of radiological emergencies. Police also created a dedicated green corridor for shifting of casualty to the hospital during the exercise.



Preparation for the exercise was started almost three months in advance by conducting a week-long training programme on CBRN Emergency Management for the Airport Emergency handlers in september 2017 by NDMA in coordination with Airport Authority of India.

writingonblog uncensored: Will smaller Indian airports navigation services b...

writingonblog uncensored: Will smaller Indian airports navigation services b...: C SHIVAKUMAR @ Chennai: The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) introduced by Civil Aviation Ministry may have made air travel cheaper bu...

Will smaller Indian airports navigation services be monitored by Remote Virtual Tower?

C SHIVAKUMAR @ Chennai:

The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) introduced by Civil Aviation Ministry may have made air travel cheaper but with it comes the challenges of ensuring safe efficient and economical air navigation services by installing air traffic control towers at these airports.

As the cost of constructing air traffic control towers is costlier, Airport Authority of India is looking at introducing Remote and virtual tower (RVT), a new concept where the air traffic service (ATS) at an airport is performed somewhere else than in the local control tower or to go for mobile air traffic control towers mounted on vehicles.

S Sreekumar, regional executive director, southern region, Airport Authority of India, said that Airport Authority of India will be implementing trailer mounted air traffic control tower as a pilot in Vellore where the RCS scheme is to be launched next year. Already mobile air traffic control tower is being taken up on a experimental basis in Surat, he said.

Interestingly, many airports under RCS scheme doesn’t have ATC tower available. Construction of new ATC tower infrastructure lead to increase in cost, defeating the purpose of RCS, which aims to provide flight services at low price, says Sreekumar. It is learnt that Airport Authority of India instead of constructing new ATC tower at every airport, is set to procure mobile ATC towers to manage flight operations at different airports initially.

Trailer mounted mobile tower is fitted with hydraulically operated lifts, enabling the tower cabin to rise up to a height of not less than eight metres from ground level to roof-top of tower. It provides a 360 degree view for the controllers who can perform all visual air traffic service and control functions.

Sut Sreekumar is betting big on Remote and virtual tower (RVT), a new concept where the air traffic service (ATS) at an airport is managed at far off place. “It will be managed through a satellite station and we are planning to have it in Chennai,” says Sreekumar. Currently, Airport Authority of India is looking at pilot project in Ahmedabad.

Box:

Salem airport to open on Jan 25

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Chennai:

Salem airport, one of the three airports from the state selected under the first phase of the project UDAN or "Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik", will commence operations from January 25, according to S Sreekumar regional executive director, southern region, Airport Authority of India.

Sreekumar said that Hosur airport has yet to get clearance to operate from Bangalore International Airport. Hosur, which was initially selected under the first phase of Regional Connectivity Scheme, has to get a No Objection Certificate from Bangalore Airport to operate flights .It is learnt that under an agreement no other airport will be allowed to operate within 150km radius from Bangalore Airport. Hosur comes within the 150km radius.

Sea plane to figure in Regional connectivity Scheme

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ CHENNAI:

Sea planes and waterdromes will soon become a reality under the next phase of Regional Connectivity Scheme, according to S Sreekumar regional executive director, southern region, Airport Authority of India.

 The waterdromes for operating seaplanes will be set up lakes, ponds and even sea, said Sreekumar. He, however, did not give details on whether it will be implemented in the state. The first sea plane service was launched on June 2, 2013 at Kollam with the inaugural flight being operated by Kairali Aviation. However, commercial operations could not start due to opposition from the local fishing community.

writingonblog uncensored: Income Tax lifts prohibitory orders on TTV, Sasika...

writingonblog uncensored: Income Tax lifts prohibitory orders on TTV, Sasika...: CHENNAI: After conducting raids at more than 180 premises belonging to aides and relatives of of jailed AIADMK leader Sasikala and oust...

Income Tax lifts prohibitory orders on TTV, Sasikala aides premises; Conducts inquiries in 13 places

CHENNAI:

After conducting raids at more than 180 premises belonging to aides and relatives of of jailed AIADMK leader Sasikala and ousted AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, the Income Tax on Wednesday lifted prohibitory orders on some of them.

A senior Income tax official said the prohibitory orders were lifted against those premises in Chennai and outside the city which were searched by Income tax department since November 9.

Currently, the inquiries are going on in seven premises in Chennai and six premises outside the city, the official said.

He said the lifting of prohibitory orders does not mean that the investigation has concluded. “We have concluded the searches but investigations will continue to go on,” he said.

Interestingly, the lifting of prohibitory orders comes close on the heels of ousted AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran emerging victorious in the RK Nagar constituency bypoll.

“The prohibitory orders will be lifted stage by stage against those premises, where in searches were conducted,” the official said. 

Prohibitory Orders are imposed where in it is not practicable to seize any books of account or other documents, money, bullion, jewellery or other articles or things. The order is served on the person in possession of the valuables or documents and is directed not to part part otherwise deal with it.

The lifting of prohibitory order means that the search on premises against the relatives and TTV Dhinakaran and Sasikala have concluded.

The searches against the premises belonging to aides and relatives of TTV Dhinakaran and Sasikala,  had revealed the initial concealment of Rs 1,430 crore worth of taxes as well as vital clues pertaining to shell companies linked to jailed AIADMK leader Sasikala, her close relatives and aides from her chambers in Poes Garden.

Income Tax sources had claimed that they have got the original documents pertaining to the shell companies after searching the four chambers in the Poes garden used by Sasikala.

The official refused to give details on how many premises the prohibitory orders were clamped or how much worth of tax was evaded “The investigations are still on,” he said.

writingonblog uncensored: TN set to amend Town and Country Planning Act to m...

writingonblog uncensored: TN set to amend Town and Country Planning Act to m...: C SHIVAKUMAR @ Chennai: Tamil Nadu government is set to amend Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act by introducing additional provis...

TN set to amend Town and Country Planning Act to make provision for TDR

C SHIVAKUMAR @ Chennai:

Tamil Nadu government is set to amend Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act by introducing additional provision for Transferrable Development Rights (TDRs) to make it legally binding.

It is learnt that the state government will be amending Section 35 of the Act where in the clause pertaining to Transfer of Development Rights will be included.

Initially, the government had framed rules for implementing TDR but it did not have statutory backing.

Transferrable Development Rights (TDRs) allow governments to acquire land in exchange for development rights. These rights allow for properties or land to be developed in other areas of the city and those having TDRs can use the rights themselves or sell it to developers.

Since the state did not have legal backing for the sale of TDRs, the proposed amendment in the Act could facilitate cheap and rapid land acquisition for the government while redirecting development to other to other under-developed areas of the cities or important urban goals like affordable housing.

TDR, which first emerged as a policy in United States in the 1960s, was implemented in the state by creating a separate TDR division in Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. However, without legal backing and infrastructure and a common platform to trade TDRs, it had few takers forcing to the government to rethink on the feasibility of having a separate TDR department in CMDA.

A former planner said that TDRs can be made successful if it can be made accessible and a comprehensive database is established of TDR issued and used. It has been suggested that the government should establish a TDR market or bank to buy hold and resell TDRs.

There is lack of mechanism of trade and price discovery as Chennai is not a active TDR market and there are no special incentives for builders, sources revealed.

Even the policy of TDR is a document driven one where in the loss of development right certificate would result in owner losing the entitlement to certificate.

The move to amend the Act comes after Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) is wooing real estate developers to market 20,520 square metre of special transferrable development rights to build homes.

Under the slum clearance board scheme, TNSCB will identify private developer to provide alternate accommodation to slum dwellers proposed to be evicted through a bidding process and enter into an agreement with private developer for the provision of alternate accommodation to slum beneficiaries.

The developer who has obtained the special TDR may utilise it himself or transfer it after getting clearance from Member Secretary of Chennai Metropolitan Development authority.

Factfile:

1. Transferable development Right first emerged as a policy in the US in 1960s. It was used to preserve certain parts of city which had historic buildings

2. In India, TDR was dirst implemented in Mumbai in 1991 to acquire land for public amenities like gardens and roads.

3. Between 1991-2004, more than 21,00000 square metre of land was surrendered through TDR in MUmbai for road development and slum redevelopment

4. In Bangalore, TDR was initated in 2005 to help government with large scale infrastructure projects

5. Transferrable Development Rights was issued in Second Master plan and it has few takers in Chennai. It is learnt it is due to lack of mechanism of trade and price discovery as Chennai is not a active TDR market

writingonblog uncensored: Developers vie to be members of real estate regula...

writingonblog uncensored: Developers vie to be members of real estate regula...: Chennai: As the last date for nominating members for Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Agency set to lapse on December 31 this year, more a...

Developers vie to be members of real estate regulatory body as last date for nominating members is Dec 31

Chennai:

As the last date for nominating members for Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Agency set to lapse on December 31 this year, more and more realtors are trying to gain access into the regulatory body through real estate associations by getting nominated as members.



After Confederation of Real Estate Development Authority trying to push its three members for being considered as members in TNRERA, the Builders Association has joined the fray claiming to have cast experience since it has completed 75 years of successful service.



S Rama Prabhu, secretary of Builders Association of India, told Express they are also in the fray requesting two of its office-bearers to be appointed as statutory members of TNRERA.



While concerns are being raised about possible conflict of interest with the nomination of realtors as members, the housing department has expressed reservations over considering the members from real estate associations stating that it will affect prejudice his function as member.



Office-bearers of real estate associations or those who are having financial or other interest in real estate sector cannot be represented TNRERA or Appellate Tribunal,” stated a senior official of housing department.



Confederation of Real Estate Developers Authority of India (CREDAI), a real estate lobby group, has nominated Suresh Krishn, Chennai chapter president, Rajesh B Lund, Coimbatore chapter president, and P Ravichandran Tiruchy chapter president while BAI has sought inclusion of its members.



Official sources said that the final decision on nomiation of members and chairperson of TNRERA will be taken by selection committee comprising of Chief Justice of Madras High Court, Housing secretary and law department secretary. The housing department has clarified that candidates vying to be members should not exceed the age of 62 in case of chairperson and non-judicial members and 64 in the cas eof judicial members to ensure that they have atleast three years tenure.



Official sources informed that the last date of of nominating or suggesting candidates along with bio-data is December 31, 2017. The application form can be downloaded from the link http://mhupa.gov.in/writeradddata/Real_Estate_Act_2016_pdf.

writingonblog uncensored: Delay in implementing Rs 100cr worth schemes force...

writingonblog uncensored: Delay in implementing Rs 100cr worth schemes force...: C SHIVAKUMAR @ Chennai: Concerned over the delay of implementation of projects above Rs 100 crore in the state, the state government has de...

Delay in implementing Rs 100cr above worth schemes forces TN to review projects every fortnight

C SHIVAKUMAR @ Chennai:

Concerned over the delay of implementation of projects above Rs 100 crore in the state, the state government has decided to review the pending projects every fortnight.

Official sources said that usually, a high-level committee headed by Chief Secretary reviews around 100 projects every six months. “Since the review has been ineffective, move is to have frequent reviews by the chief secretary and departmental review by the secretaries,” the source said.

It is learnt that the newly appointed secretary of planning, development and special initiatives will identify five projects to be reviewed by the chief secretary every fortnight and an initial list has been prepared. The projects will also involve those yet to be approved but considered to be importance to state. It will be done on the pattern of Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation (PRAGATI), a unique integrating and interactive platform. The platform is aimed at addressing common man’s grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments.

Some of the five projects to be reviewed initially include the Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Corridor project, which includes rehabilitation and resettlement of project affected damilies and commercial establishment and land acquisition for small stretch. The 19km Maduravoyal-Chennai Port elevated corridor project initially worth Rs 1,345 crore have got stalled for the last five years. It is likely to be revived with the state government giving it's nod for the project.



The review will also focus on Bangalore-Chennai Expressway where the land acquisition is in initial stages in Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Vellore districts. The work on the Rs 20,000 crore Chennai-Bangalore Expressway, which passes through Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, is expected to start from December next year provided Tamil Nadu acquires 80pc of land.



Even the much delayed MRTS Phase II project will be reviewed where the cost has risen due to legal issues over land acquisition. The initial cost of the project was Rs 605 crore but now the cost has escalated to Rs 919 crore as the railway stations have to undergo certain finishing works.



The other two projects include the improvement of water supply to Madurai from Mullaiperiyar as source and setting up 100MLD desalination plants at Ramanathapuram and in Thoothkudi district.





It is learnt that due to land acquisition and related issues like rehabilitation and resettlement of project affected families, awarding of fair compensation to land owners under the new Land Acquisition Act, the execution of projects on schedule poses a huge challenge to the state government. This has resulted in both time-overrun and cost- escalation.

Initial Projects to be reviewed:

1. Bangalore-Chennai Expressway:

Initial cost: Rs 20,000 cr

2. Port-Maduravoyal project:

Initial cost: Rs 1,345 crore

3. MRTS Phase II

Initial Cost: Rs 605 cr

writingonblog uncensored: IGCAR director to be honoured

writingonblog uncensored: IGCAR director to be honoured: Chennai: The director of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR)  Dr Arun Kumar Bhaduri  will  be conferred with the degree ...

IGCAR director to be honoured

Chennai:

The director of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) Dr Arun Kumar Bhaduri will be conferred with the degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris causa) by Jadavpur University, Kolkota during special convocation and the 62nd annual convocation on Sunday.

He would receive it along with former president Pranab Mukherjee and Ved Prakash who are being conferred with Degree of Doctor of Literature (Honoris causa) and Dr Ajay Kumar Sood of Indian Institute of Science Bangalore being conferred with Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris causa).

 Bhaduri pilots the design and technology development of sodium-cooled fast reactors and its associated fuel cycle for the second stage of India’s nuclear power programme, and anchors the development of materials and their fabrication technologies for Indian programmes on sodium-cooled fast reactors, fusion reactors and advanced ultra supercritical thermal power.

writingonblog uncensored: Coast Guard evacuates Filipino crew of Merchant ve...

writingonblog uncensored: Coast Guard evacuates Filipino crew of Merchant ve...: CHENNAI: A Filipino crew of a merchant vessel, who was suffering from high fever and vomiting was evacuated by  Indian Coast Guard Sh...

Coast Guard evacuates Filipino crew of Merchant vessel

CHENNAI:

A Filipino crew of a merchant vessel, who was suffering from high fever and vomiting was evacuated by Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajshree and provided adequate medical care.

Indian Coast Guard spokesman said that the captain of Majuro Flag gas tanker ‘Al Dafna’, onits way to South Korea, requested Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Center Port Blair for urgent medical evacuation of the medically ill crew.

Evaluating the criticality of the situation, Coast Guard medical officer provided tele-medical advice to the 27-year old Filipino Sasota Irish D John.  

Simultaneously, Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajshree sailed for urgent medical evacuation. At the time of emergency reporting, the vessel was 35 nautical miles south-west of Indira Point, near Campbell Bay enroute from Qatar to South Korea.

The Liquefied Petroleum Gas carrying merchant vessel had long passage time to next port of call South Korea, therefore it was decided to evacuate crew amid sea as soon as possible

The crew was evacuated and taken to Campbell Bay and from there immediately shifted to primary health centre for immediate medical attention. Later, the patient was transferred to Port Blair via Coast Guard Dornier for further medical treatment on Friday.

writingonblog uncensored: Jet Airways offers 10pc off on Economy Class fares...

writingonblog uncensored: Jet Airways offers 10pc off on Economy Class fares...: CHENNAI: Jet Airways will offer a flat 10% off on base fares in Economy and up to 15% off on Premiere fares as part of New Year Sale for th...

Jet Airways offers 10pc off on Economy Class fares

CHENNAI:
Jet Airways will offer a flat 10% off on base fares in Economy and up to 15% off on Premiere fares as part of New Year Sale for those planning their domestic travel early next year. 
Passengers will be able to realise attractive savings on popular sectors across the airline’s domestic network of 44 destinations in the New Year. The 11-day fare sale beginning December 23, 2017 until January 2, 2018, will be valid for Economy and Premiere travel on select domestic destinations of the Jet Airways’ network for one-way bookings. During the sale, guests may book economy tickets starting at INR 1001*, with a travel validity that commences from January 15, 2018 onwards

writingonblog uncensored: NGT strikes down setting up of Environment Cell

writingonblog uncensored: NGT strikes down setting up of Environment Cell: C Shivakumar @ Chennai: The move by the state government to amend Development control Rules and create a Environment Cell in Chennai...

NGT strikes down setting up of Environment Cell

C Shivakumar @ Chennai:

The move by the state government to amend Development control Rules and create a Environment Cell in Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority suffered a blow after National Green Tribunal’s principal Bench in New Delhi quashed a Environment Ministry notification of 2016 which ordered for setting up such cell.

The Environment Ministry notification had specified constitution of Environment cell by the local body and the state government recently held a crucial meeting to bring in changes in its development regulations.

However, the Green Tribunal Bench comprising of chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar, Justice Jawad Rahim (judicial member) and Bikram Singh Sajwan (Expert Member) in its order has stated that setting up environment cell in the local body will result in conflict of interest.

In its order that was passed on first week of December, the Green Tribunal observed that, “As per the notification of Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Environmental Cell is to be constituted by the local authority or the State Government, whereas the implementation of the environmental law is vested with the Central Government.”

“A Cell, primary duty of which is to protect the environment would have to work in subordination to a local authority whose primary object is to permit development. Thus, the possibility of conflicting interest arising in the functioning of the local authority and the Environmental Cell cannot be ruled out,” the principal Bench of National Green Tribunal said.

“Some of the portions of the impugned Notification; particularly, relating to granting of exemption from the application of Water and Air Acts; Rendering the provisions of the central law for taking action, penalizing defaulters and offenders of the environmental law being rendered ineffective; ambiguity and deficiencies in constitution of the Environmental Cell are some of the patent features of the impugned Notification which dilutes the environmental impacts on the one hand, while on the other, they are in derogation to India's international commitments to the Rio Declaration, 1992 and Paris Agreement, 2015,” the Tribunal has stated.

The Green Tribunal in order said that the provisions relating to exclusion of Consent to Operate and Consent to

Establish under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 in clause 14 of the impugned Notification; relating to constitution and functioning of Environmental Cell, cannot be sustained and are liable to be quashed. The NGT directed the Environment ministry to re-examine its notification and take appropriate steps to delete, amend and rectify the clauses.

Earlier, the state government was planning to amend the development regulation where in the builder will no longer require to obtain environmental clearance from Tamil Nadu State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (TNSEIAA) as the compliance of environmental condition must be ensured by environment cell.

writingonblog uncensored: CBI files charge-sheet against A C Muthiah for che...

writingonblog uncensored: CBI files charge-sheet against A C Muthiah for che...: CHENNAI: The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed three charge - sheets in the Court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate,...

CBI files charge-sheet against A C Muthiah for cheating three banks

CHENNAI:

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed three charge-sheets in the Court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Chennai against the then Chairman and Managing Director of First Leasing Company India Limited (FLCIL) A C Muthaiah and others forallegedly cheating three banks worth Rs 665 crore. 

A CBI spokesman said that besides Muthaiah, charge-sheet was filed against Farouk M Irani, then managing director of FLCIL and others for involving in a criminal conspiracy with the statutory and internal auditors of the company with malafide intentions to cheat Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) by availing various credit facilities on the basis of forged financial reports and caused loss of Rs.273.99 crore to the bank.

In another instance, the accused had availed credit facilities from UCO Bank in the form of Working Capital limit and Short Term Loans in the name of the company by furnishing false and fabricated financial statements and caused loss of Rs.142.94 crore to the bank.

They also had availed various credit facilities from SBI Bank by furnishing the inflated income and assets in the financial statements by creating unsubstantiated entries in the books of accounts since 1998 and caused loss of Rs. 248.46 crore to the bank.

Investigation conducted by CBI has disclosed that accused along with seven satellite or shell companies in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy with statutory and internal auditors had cheated the banks by submitting forged financial statements to obtain undue credit limits. Investigation has also disclosed that the Promoter-Directors had misappropriated the assets of the company entrusted to them by using such loaned money to donate annually to a Trust run by the main accused

Now IIT to give opinion on the impact of truck terminal on flood bowl of North Chennai

C Shivakumar @ Chennai:

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority will now seek Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, suggestion on how the proposed Rs 160 crore truck terminal on a 66 acres marshy land opposite Sathangadu Iron and Steel Market that acts as a natural water course for surplus water from Puzhal lake as well as nearby Burma Nagar will have an impact in the neighbouring areas  

The decision to seek the opinion of IIT Madras  comes as Anna University, which prepared a  feasibility report, has given a green light to go ahead and build the truck terminal on the flood bowl despite Public Works Department giving a conditional approval that the truck terminal should be a elevated one to allow the area to continue to act as flood bowl.

Earlier, the project site was inspected by the housing secretary, who was cautious enough to seek the opinion of IIT, Madras, before giving a nod to go ahead for the project.

It is learnt that Anna University had furnished a feasibility report regarding inundation problem in and around the project site with necessary hydrology and hydraulic study.

Centre for Water Resources in Anna University did the study which included analysis of rainfall data as well as estimation of flood inundation depth in and around the site the container truck parking yard using the hydrological modelling.

 During the 2015 floods, the 66 acres of the proposed site was able to hold 30.18 million cubic feet of water. The proposed site is in between Red Hills tank surplus course in downstream Tiruvottiyur-Ponneri Road to Burma Nagar Road.

The Red Hills tank surplus course starts from Red hills tank and finally falls into Ennore Creek which is marsh land near Sadayankuppam village flowing to a distance of 13.5km. The proposed site starts at the chainage of 12.60km of Red Hills surplus course and further area forms as sheet of marsh lands in which Red Hills surplus water, Kosasthaliyar River and Buckingham Canal spreads during rainy season and flood season.

PWD in its report to the government has warned that if the area was filled with earth, then the entire stretch of water or more in worst flood scenario will be blocked and held up all along the Red hills surplus course causing heavy flooding to areas such as Kosapur, Mathur Baba Nagar, Vadakarai, Gantylon resulting in heavy damages.

As a result, it was decided to construct elevated container terminal by fixing the bottom deck slab level at a height of 4.420 metre and constructing the truck terminal , sources said.

writingonblog uncensored: TNSCB expands board to implement Slum Free Cities ...

writingonblog uncensored: TNSCB expands board to implement Slum Free Cities ...: CHENNAI: In a bid to achieve the goal of Slum Free Cities, the Slum Clearance Board is planning to expand its strength of board members ...

TNSCB expands board to implement Slum Free Cities project

CHENNAI:

In a bid to achieve the goal of Slum Free Cities, the Slum Clearance Board is planning to expand its strength of board members for effective implementation of the project by building 3.28 lakh tenements in town panchayats, corporations and municipal towns of the state at a cost of Rs 11,457 crore

According to official sources, slum clearance board will be including commissioner of municipal administration and director of town panchayats in its board which already has a strength of 11 members.

As per Section (35) of Tamil Nadu Slum Area Act, 1971, the chairman and other members of the board should not exceed beyond 15 members.

Currently, the members include, chairman of slum clearance board, housing secretary, managing director of slum clearance board, chairman of housing board, CMDA member secretary, Metro Water managing director, Chennai collector, Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner, Secretary Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare department, deputy secretary finance and deputy secretary of municipal administration and water supply department.

It is learnt that Slum Clearance Board is building 1.94 lakh tenements in corporations, municipal towns at a cost of 7,269.80 crore and 1.34 lakh houses in town panchayats at a cost of rs 4,187.47 crore.

Sources said the decision to add two additional members was taken to avail the Union government grant and to ensure flow of funds to directorate of town panchayats and municipalities

Planning permission and building permits a click away from next financial year

C SHIVAKUMAR @ CHENNAI:

By the beginning of next financial year, a builder or developer can submit and track his application for planning permission online without going in person to Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.

It is learnt that Chennai Metropolitan Development has set out  April 15, 2018 deadline where in it will have the software ready for web-enabled single window system for Online submission, processing and disposal of planning permission applications, building permit applications, completion certificate and occupancy certificate.

This comes after Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, conducted system integration study and development of software for the web enabled single window system.

Usually, a developer for carrying out any development activity has to obtain planning permission from CMDA and also has to obtain building permit from local bodies like Corporation or municipality or town panchayat or village panchayat. Although planning permission and building permit are inter-related their processing involves multiple agencies and multiple activity.

This is time consuming for a developer and sometimes the process takes more than six months to a year for getting the approval.

The new system will formulate a seamless and hassle free environment for ‘Web enabled Single Window Online submission, processing and disposal of planning permission applications, building permit application, completion certificates and occupancy certificates by integrating the existing system.

It is learnt that 10-member team lead by chief planners of multi-storied buildings (MSB) and area plans unit (APU) have been formed to help Softech Engineers in implementing the online system.

The software development work will be started by December 16, 2017 and it will be implemented initially for special building by January 30, 2018. It will later include multi-storied building and will be tested by CMDA and IIT-Madras adter which the software will be developed for group development buildings, industries and institution, layout and reclassification and enforcement cell.

After these the integration of No Objection Cenrtificates (NOCs) with other departments and single window system including Greater Chennai Corporation and other local bodies will be done by April 15, 2018.

IIT was approached by CMDA after none of the tenderer was qualified enough to carry out the system integration study and development of software when tender was floated on September 2015.

It is learnt that IIT-Madras has suggested that Land Use Information System data has to be fully upfated including land acquisition details, court cases so as to integrate it with initial scrutiny records. It was also suggested to check the feasibility of Chitta (year-wise ownership records) and adangal (yearwise land use records) as part of the mandatory documents submitted during admission.

Factfile:

1. The aim of the project is to have a single window system for entire Tamil Nadu concerning building approval systems

2. The single window system will be web enabled and citizen oriented to facilitate transparency

3. It will prevent the sudden disappearance of CMDA files as the digitised records will be stored

4. The planning permission which usually takes six to eight months can be attained within 45 days

5. All stakeholders will be aware of the status of the file for easy tracking enabling higher proficiency

writingonblog uncensored: TN extends amnesty scheme for unauthorised structu...

writingonblog uncensored: TN extends amnesty scheme for unauthorised structu...: C Shivakumar @ Chennai: Tamil Nadu government has extended the amnesty scheme by three months to grant lifeline to illegal buildings built...

TN extends amnesty scheme for unauthorised structures by 3 months as violators stay away

C Shivakumar @ Chennai:

Tamil Nadu government has extended the amnesty scheme by three months to grant lifeline to illegal buildings built before July 1, 2007 even as violators preferred to stay away rather than apply to regularise their unauthorised construction.

As the original amnesty scheme for unauthorised developments lapsed on Thursday, a top official from the housing department said that the scheme has been extended by three more months and gazette notification will be issued in this regard.

It is learnt that only 35 have applied for the scheme where in the developer or builder or house owner has to pay multiple infrastructure and amenities charges as penalty before regularising the buildings. 

Interestingly, the scheme is facing legal hurdle over its validity. A senior official said that the scheme is sub-judice now as such the court orders is awaited. However, the applications are being accepted.

But sources told Express that the current regularisation scheme is different from the pervious one. In the earlier regularisation scheme there were no conditions except credible evidence about the structure. Now they have included the required setback for regularisaing the building. “This has made many builders and developers think as T Nagar buildings won’t dall under the norms,” sources said. Previously, more than 80 per cent unauthorised buildings fail to get CMDA clearance despite depositing the money for processing the application. The reason given was they failed to provided sufficient evidence like power bills and water bills for regularising the building.

M G Deivasahayam, High Court appointed Monitoring Committee member of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority says that unless the government takes a strong policy decision to raze down unauthorised structures, the construction of illegal structures will continue.

“It highlights that people know that they can get away by building unauthorised structures. The owners and developers of unauthorised structures are aware that by greasing the palm of officers they can evade action against the buildings,” he said.

Deivasahayam who has been fighting against giving the second lifeline to unauthorised buildings in the city said that there are thousands of unauthorised multi-storied structures and around lakhs of structures under special, commercial and other structures having minor deviations.

He said the biggest violators are the buildings in T Nagar and they are continuing for the last two decades. “When no action has been taken till now, they will feel that they can continue to do so either by approaching courts or paying bribe to officials,” he said.

Interestingly, the T Nagar buildings have not applied under the regularisation scheme. A builder says that if he has to apply for a regularisation scheme, he has pay in crores and yet he is not sure whether the application will be processed or not. There have been cases where in many have paid during the previous regularisation scheme and have yet to hear from the CMDA, he said.

Interestingly, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has started processing 1,600 applications submitted under the previous regularisation scheme to regularise unauthorised building built before 1999 recently. “CMDA has been saying that they don’t have staff. Either CMDA as a whole should be shut down or action should be taken against those who failed to do their duty,” said a former planner.

CBI to appeal against 2G verdict

Chennai:

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday said that it will appeal against the CBI Special court verdict which has acquitted all accused, including former telecom minister A Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi, in the Rs 30,000 crore 2G spectrum allocation scam cases.

"The judgment relating to 2G Scam case today has been prima facie examined and it appears that the evidence adduced to substantiate the charges by the prosecution has not been appreciated in its proper perspective by the Learned Court," CBI said in a statement.

"CBI will be taking necessary legal remedies in the matter. In due course, CBI will be filing an appeal," a CBI spokesperson stated.

Special CBI judge O P Saini pronounced the judgment, clearing 19 accused of all charges in the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering case which comes under the gamut of the 2G scam case.

"The Court said that the prosecution has miserably failed to prove any of its charge. Thus all accused are acquitted," defence counsel Vijay Aggarwal said outside the courtroom soon after the shock verdict