Govt issues time limit to urban planning authorities

The state has set a slew of deadlines for development projects.

It has sent out a notification to urban planning authorities stating that they have to issue building commencement certificates within 30 days, occupation certificates (OCs) within eight days; and plinth checking certificate within seven days. In addition, if trees need to be axed, it needs to be done in 45 days.

The notification issued by the Urban Development department reads that under Ease of Doing business, the government has issued directives to all planning authorities, special planning authorities and new town development authorities regarding mandated time limits for building permissions.

The notification talks about giving building permissions, change of land, tree felling an others. When contacted Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta, he said, "Mumbai has already done this as part of ease of doing business."

Meanwhile, architects who mostly apply for these permissions claim that in Mumbai if all papers are clear for a building then the permission is granted within a short time.

"This will benefit the rest of Maharashtra where building proposals at times takes a longer period. This is a good move but if an officer wants he can still delay asking for thousands of papers," said Arqam Shaikh, owner of Arc associates, an architecture firm.