HC questions legal premise of amnesty scheme for illegal constructions

Bhubaneswar: The Orissa High Court today sought a reply from the Odisha government and Urban Development department officials on what grounds the amnesty scheme -‘Sarbakhyama Yojana’ - was implemented to regularise unauthorised buildings and establishments in urban areas across the State.

The court has asked the authorities to explain under which law the unauthorised construction will be regularised. While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) today, the High Court sought reply from the concerned authorities through their lawyers.

The next date of the hearing has been scheduled on August 2.

On June 20, the Odisha Government had announced the amnesty scheme, and a notification was 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.

Announcing the scheme, Housing and Urban Development Minister, Niranjan Pujari had said that under the amnesty scheme, people can apply for regularisation of their unauthorised constructions with a few conditions.