Amendment to KTCP Actto check indiscriminate violation of sanctioned plan and unauthorised layouts

Initially Rs. 50000 penalty and Rs 1 lakh for subsequent lapses

CHANDRASHEKAR G

Bengaluru Express
Bengaluru, May 10: The government has decided to impose a fine of ₹50 thousand to ₹1 lakh on officials who allow unauthorized layouts and violations of plans in approved layouts.

In an attempt to curb unabated violation of building plan and layout formation,
The Karnataka Town and Country Planning (KTCP) Act, 1961, has been amended and rules have been formulated in the name of ‘Karnataka Planning Authority’. The scope of action against whom action can be taken if unauthorized layouts are constructed has been determined and notified.

If there are cases of unauthorized layouts and plan violations in the construction of layouts within the jurisdiction of the officer to whom the responsibility is fixed, he will be fined ₹50 thousand in the first case. A fine of ₹1 lakh will be imposed for the subsequent cases. Disciplinary action will be taken as per the Karnataka Civil Service Rules for multiple lapses. The rules also explain which officer has what responsibility.
The responsibility of preventing unauthorized constructions within the BBMP limits has been entrusted to the Commissioner of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Chief Commissioner of BBMP. In areas outside BBMP, the responsibility has been entrusted to the BDA Commissioner and the respective local bodies, Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs). The power to take action and impose fines on them has been given to the BMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner and the Chief Executive Officer.
In the limits of urban local authorities, the concerned Commissioner, Member Secretary of the Planning Authority, and the Chief Officer of the authority have been given the responsibility of preventing unauthorized constructions. The power to take action and impose fines on them has been given to the BMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner and the Chief Executive Officer.
In areas other than the Bangalore Metropolitan Region (BMR), the Commissioners, Chief Officers, PDOs, Member Secretary of the local bodies have been given the power to prevent unauthorized construction. If they fail, the responsibility of imposing fines and action against them has been given to the Urban Development Department officials.
The responsible officer can appeal against the fines and disciplinary action against him to the Urban Development Department officials within 45 days. The notification clarifies that a thorough inquiry should be conducted in this regard and the appellate authority officer should take action within 90 days.