Violating norms on building now punishable

The Delhi cabinet on Monday cleared a draft bill, which makes violating building by-laws a punishable offence, reports Amitabh Shukla.

The Delhi cabinet on Monday cleared a draft bill, which makes violating building by-laws a punishable offence.

HT Image

The cabinet note said no person would be allowed to build, occupy or use a building without obtaining permits to do so, issued either by a registered architect or the municipal commissioner. The provision is part of the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2007.

The offender will be liable for six months rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 to Rs 2 lakh. For a second and subsequent violations, imprisonment and fine would both become longer and steeper.

The draft bill, however, does not prescribe any punishment for those already living in buildings that violate by-laws. Such residents would be asked to get required permits or vacate the premises. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the bill was necessary to ensure the new building by-laws of Delhi were followed. The bill is likely to be introduced in the monsoon session after obtaining approvals from Lt Governor Tejinder Khanna and the Centre.