Govt may change building byelaws

In the face of severe criticism,the Left Front government has decided to bring in certain changes in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation...

In the face of severe criticism,the Left Front government has decided to bring in certain changes in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act that allows builders to get unapproved construction regularised after paying fees and fines. The Act was passed during the Left Front regime to give builders relief from harassment from the KMCs building department but after 30 years,the government feels such a law has a negative impact.

In the Stephen Court fire,two additional floors were found to have been added to the original building allegedly illegally. But later,the illegal floors were regularised after the builders paid hefty fines.

Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborti said,We are considering some changes in the related Act.

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Following the Stephen House fire,the chief minister had said there are evil builders who,in collusion with some state employees,are responsible for illegal construction in the city. Sources in the CMs secretariat said the CM has asked the chief secretary to go through the present Act and bring in necessary modification in it. Once the Act is changed,regularising unapproved buildings will not be allowed, said an official.

The chief secretary also said the government would set up an inquiry committee instead of an inquiry commission,as announced earlier,to look into the Stephen Court fire. Names of the committee members will be announced on Monday, he said.

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