With Bill passed in Assembly, now, building rule in panchayat areas too

Kolkata: The West Bengal Panchayat (Amendment) Bill has been passed on Friday in the state Assembly to introduce a building rule in panchayat areas in the state.

Subrata Mukherjee, the state Panchayat minister, said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had instructed to ensure a comprehensive system for better work at the panchayat level.

"There was no such building rules in the areas under panchayats. Many buildings are now coming up in the rural parts of the state as well. So, Chief Minister had formed a group of ministers to look into the issue.

"Following discussions on it, the decision on introduction of the building rules in panchayat areas were passed in the state Cabinet and the Bill has been passed in the Assembly," he said adding that it will ensure transparency and reduce harassment of people who approach the local bodies for clearances to construct buildings.

It has been specified in the Bill that "a gram panchayat may grant permission for construction of any building or structure or any addition to structures or buildings within its jurisdiction up to the plinth area of 150 square metre up to 300 square metre and 6.5 metre height. They can also charge fees for the permission."

Zilla parishads may grant permission for the same for buildings of plinth area over 300 square metre and height up to 15 metre. Zilla parishads may get the building plans examined by the panchayats and Rural Development department.

Gram panchayats may levy fees on registration for running trade of any nature and form, having statutory clearances from the competent authority.

Mukherjee said that it will help people in getting building plans sanctioned without facing any inconvenience. District Magistrates and Sub-divisional officers will be acting as hearing officers of the department where an applicant can move if sanction to his or her building plan is delayed.