Thiruvananthapuram: Minister of Local Government M.B. said that there will be an increase in the building permit fee in the state. Rajesh. He clarified in the press conference that the rate will be fixed later. The minister said that the building permit fee has not been increased in Kerala over time and a reasonable fee will be charged for the technical system required to provide services quickly and smoothly.
The minister also said that building construction permits will be provided as soon as applications are made for small constructions in state corporations and municipalities. This facility is for small buildings up to 300 square meters including house. Permission will be given on the basis of self-attested application. The minister added that from April 1, 2023, official level inspection will be completely waived for getting permits for small buildings including houses in municipalities.
The Legislature has already passed an amendment to increase the existing property tax on buildings by five per cent from April 1. The new rates will be applicable for buildings constructed from next year onwards. Along with this, concessions have also been fixed for those who are eligible. Earlier BPL up to 30 sq. mtrs. Tax relief was only for sections. Buildings up to 60 square meters used for personal residence will no longer have to pay property tax. This exemption is not applicable to flats. An extensive inspection will be conducted to prevent tax evasion and detect changes made to each building. The tax will be revised accordingly. If illegal construction is found during the inspection, the illegal portion will be taxed three times and action will be taken. Houses up to 1500 square feet are exempted from triple property tax.
Rating will be implemented on the basis of efficiency for local self-governing bodies. Minister Rajesh said that public evaluation of the efficiency of services (citizen feedback) will be an important factor in the rating.
Kerala is a place of rapid urbanization. A commission comprising international experts will be appointed to formulate a suitable urban policy for New Kerala in the context of complex issues like land use, lifestyle and waste management. The minister also informed that the intervention will be done to better convert the officials and employees to the new system.
A rule was issued in 2018 to regularize buildings constructed in violation of building regulations in Kerala’s cities and suburbs. According to the said rule, the buildings whose construction started before July 31, 2017 can be regularized. Accordingly, the period for filing regularization application has expired. In this situation, the government has decided to issue a rule with new provisions for regularization of illegal buildings. Buildings whose construction started before November 7, 2019 can be regularized. The Legislative Assembly has already approved the amendment in this regard. Action is being taken to promulgate the rule. With the issuance of the rule, the public will be able to apply, Minister M.B. Rajesh added.
The minister said that along with solid waste, liquid waste management is essential for public health. The government is approaching this matter very seriously in the event that the presence of coliform bacteria has been found in drinking water sources in Kerala. There are limited systems in place for the treatment of liquid waste, including toilet waste, generated in Kerala. The government is proceeding with measures to bring about a fundamental change in this situation. About 30 liquid waste treatment plants are under construction. The construction of ten of these plants will be completed by May 31, 2023. The plants at Kochi Ellamkulam, Brahmapuram, Wellington Island, Kollam Kuripuzha, Kozhikode Medical College (2), Kannur Patannapalam, Alappuzha General Hospital, Thrissur Madakattara and Munnar will be operational by May 31. Enforcement squad will be formed to detect violations in waste management activities and take legal action. The Minister said that the squad comprising representatives of Local Self-Government Department, Sanitation Mission and Police will work in every district.
