CC in one week now !!

END TO INSPECTOR RAJ

*Building completion certificate goes online*

Source Times of India

*KMC Has To Issue Certificate In A Week Or Specify *


*The days of harassment by building department inspectors are over. The
completion certificate (CC) process for houses and apartment complexes has
gone online. *


*Now, you can expect a CC within seven days of applying for it. The
e-process could root out the notorious inspector raj that has thrived in
Kolkata Municipal Corporation for two decades. *


*Earlier, building department inspectors had the discretionary power to
withhold CC indefinitely. It gave them the leverage to manipulate and
extort a house **owner or developer because without the certificate you
cannot apply for water, drainage or power connection. *


*There are recent instances of people not having received CC for a year,
without being told where they erred. This is why very often promoters avoid
taking a completion certificate and hand over possession to home owners,
who are unaware of the trouble that lies ahead. They cannot move in without
water and power connection but have to fork out EMIs. *


*“The computerized system has been introduced to strengthen our own network
where building department officials often fail to track down cases of delay
and harassment. Now we can trace **files faster,” said a KMC official. It
will also ease the process for issuing building plan sanction. Mayor Sovan
Chatterjee told TOI that KMC started issuing online CCs on November 22,
addressing a major concern among citizens and developers. “We are committed
to improving citizens’ services. The new system will curb harassment and
ensure timely completion certificates,” Chatterjee said. *


*Under the new rules, an inspector has to issue a compliance report or give
reasons for rejecting a CC within seven days. “This will increase
transparency and curb opportunities to manipulate owners or builders,” an
official said. *


*Representatives of Credai’s Bengal chapter welcomed the move. “This will
usher in transparency, end harassment and ensure faster development. It is
an extremely encouraging step,” said Credai Bengal vice-president Sushil
Mohta. *


*During a bridge-building meeting on Wednesday with KMC commissioner and
heads of building, assessment, project management unit (heritage,
waterbody), civil and law, Credai Bengal officials led by chairman Harsh
Patodia discussed several points where processes can be streamlined. *


*They suggested that KMC streamline the building plan sanction process on
land where no workshop or factory exists, simplify rules and relax height
restrictions for theeka land. Patodia said the industry’s suggestion had
been well received. *


*What is a completion certificate? *

*It’s a document that enables a house owner to apply for water, drainage
and power connections. *


*What are the requirements? *

*KMC buildings inspector checks if the owner/developer has fl

outed any
construction rule or deviated from the sanctioned plan. If satisfied, he
sends a report to the executive engineer of the borough for issuing a CC *


*How is a house owner harassed? *

*Inspectors could withhold CC indefinitely without specifying a reason. It
gave them the leverage to extort a house owner or developer *


*How is the new system different? *

*All boroughs will be connected to the KMC HQ online. An inspector will
have to submit the report within three days of visit and executive engineer
will be asked to issue a CC within seven days if no major deviation is
detected*

*Source : Times of India*