Bhubaneswar: With the deadline of ‘Sarva Khyama Yojana’ (Amnesty Scheme) ending on Thursday, Urban Development Minister Pratap Jena today clarified that there will be no further extension of date to regularize unauthorized constructions in Odisha.
Though, in Odisha Assembly, the Congress today demanded an extension in the deadline for the scheme, the Minister said that the government has already given enough time. Its deadline won't be extended further. Those who haven't applied won't be provided anymore time and legal action will be taken against them, said Jena.
"We had earlier given a 15-day extension for those who have deviations to apply for the scheme. While many have applied, it has been found that several people didn't. We don't want to give any further extension and our next step will be legal action against the defaulters," he added.
The State government had earlier extended the deadline of the amnesty scheme twice (before the recent February 5 extension for 15 days) following its announcement in June 2018.
The government reportedly extended the deadline after it failed to garner required response. Later, it came up with several changes and relaxed setback provisions, parking and compounding charges for both high-rises and normal buildings in residential and non-residential areas.
Gourishankar Bhuyan, planning member of Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), had earlier said that the BDA would conduct a review of the unauthorized buildings and subsequently take action in phases after the deadline.
“We will first take action against business establishments and apartments and then, private buildings,” Bhuyan had said.
On the other hand, it is believed that with so many unauthorized constructions being in urban areas, it may not be feasible for the development authorities to demolish all such constructions.