Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government today announced an amnesty scheme 'Sarbakhyama Yojana' to regularise unauthorised buildings and establishments in urban areas across the State. According to sources, a notification in this regard has already been issued by the concerned department.
The scheme is applicable for all kinds of buildings-residential, commercial, institutional and clinical establishments falling under the jurisdiction of all nine development authorities in the State, informed sources.
Announcing the scheme, Housing and Urban Development Minister, Niranjan Pujari said under the amnesty scheme, people can apply for regularisation of their unauthorised constructions with a few conditions.
"The department concerned has issued a notification on Scheme for Regularisation of Unauthorised Constructions -2018. It will regularise constructions that have not been given necessary approval as per building regulations," Pujari said.
Owners of unauthorised building can apply for regularisation by submitting a specific application form to their respective development authorities. The applicants are required to furnish supporting documents including building construction plan and fire clearance certificate along with a specific fee.
Owners are advised to submit the applications within six months starting today. No objection certificate (NOC) from neighbours will not be required for plots within 300 square metre. However, there will be certain relaxation for regularisation of unauthorised clinical establishments, H &UD department secretary G Mathivathanan said.
However, the move has drawn flak from the opposition Congress. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president, Niranjan Patnaik said the scheme will only benefit people who have undertaken unauthorised constructions.
Questioning that what efforts has the State Government taken to help poor slum dwellers, Patnaik said the move is intended to appease defaulters in view of the upcoming general elections.