Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the expiry of the deadline, the Housing and Urban Development Department on Tuesday extended the Sarva Khyama Yojana (Amnesty Scheme) to regularize unauthorized constructions by another 15 days.
While the deadline was February 5, people can now avail benefits under the scheme till February 20. Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) officials informed that they have received over 5,000 applications.
Housing and Urban Development department minister Pratap Jena informed that the Amnesty scheme has been extended by 15 days and stern action will be taken against unauthorised constructions thereafter.
“We have extended the amnesty scheme by 15 days. If people fail to rectify the deviations in constructions, we will take legal action against them,” said Jena.
The ambitious Amnesty Scheme was announced in June 2018 and the State government had extended the deadline twice as it failed to generate desired response. Later, several changes were made including relaxed setback provisions, parking and compounding charges for both high-rises and normal buildings in residential and non-residential areas.
“People are not coming forward as the penalties are high as per new by-laws. There should be some clarity on what were the bylaws during the time of approval of the buildings,” said CREDAI Odisha chairman, DS Tripathy.
Meanwhile, several people have demanded further extension of the deadline and reduction of fines for regularising unauthorised constructions.
“The government should extend the deadline by another two to three months along with reduction in the penalties,” said Sunita Das, an applicant.