Building construction: licensee cannot be changed for certificate

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Buildings up to 3000 square feet in the state will be issued immediate permits without inspection from today onwards. This will be done on the basis of self-attestation by the building owner and licensee. Only the completion certificate of the same licensee (engineer, architect) during the stage of obtaining the permit will be accepted. The occupancy certificate cannot be procured by presenting the completion certificate of a different person.

Under the new law, the building owner and the licensee are equally responsible. This is mentioned in the guidelines issued yesterday regarding the issuance of construction permits.

Violation should be reported

• The licensee at the stage of procuring the permit, on completion of each stage of construction including the basement, shall submit a report with photographs to the Secretary of the local body concerned, in the prescribed format.
• The licensee shall immediately inform the Secretary if any construction is carried out at any stage contrary to the plan. The Secretary shall then issue a notice to stop the construction.
• If the licensee and the building owner complete the construction illegally, both parties will have to undergo legal actions including payment of penalties.
• A Technical Cell in the office of the Principal Director of Local Government will work to thoroughly scrutinize such applications received from local bodies.
• Licensees will be given time till June 30 to impanel at local bodies. Only an impaneled licensee can apply for a permit with an affidavit.