SIPCOT violates development norms by failing to hand over Open Space Reservation to local bodies

Chennai:

State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamilnadu Ltd (SIPCOT) and Small Industries Development corporation has been violating the development control regulations to hand over 10 per cent of its layout area to the local bodies to develop it as parks, recreational open space or play ground, according to official sources.

It is learnt from sources in Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department that layouts promoted by SIPCOT may have been approved by the Town and Country Planning department but the industries department has not complied with the development regulations where in they have to gift roads and open space reservation area to the local bodies.

As per the Tamil Nadu Panchayat Building Rules, the approval is given only after the land required for specified public purpose is transferred to it by a registered gift deed by the owner of the land.

It is learnt that SIPCOT has often represented to the state government to exempt it from gifting of roads and OSR to the local body so as to enable the allottees who have been allotted plots in the layout to set up their industrial projects immediately.

Sources also reveal that most of the layouts of SIPCOT and SIDCO are functioning without the approval of Town and Country Planning department.

However, industries department sources blame the local bodies for not maintaining the lands handed over to the local bodies as gift deed.

“The issue has been the funds as a result officials are worried that throughfare of roads and parks could be misused thus affecting the privacy of industrial estates,” sources added.

Meanwhile, the state government is planing to exempt SIPCOT and SIDCO from handing over roads and Open Space Reservation areas to the local bodies.

It is learnt that officials from Rural Development and Pachayat Raj have suggested that both SIPCOT and SIDCO may be exempted to gift roads and OSR to local bodies but then it has to be ensured that space intended for roads and OSR are put to use for what they are intended for rather than allowing it to be sold for industrial development.