Increase in building permit fees; ₹712 for 1200 square feet house today, ₹13,530 from tomorrow

• A 19-fold increase

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The higher rates will come into effect tomorrow amid protests over the government's steep hike in building permit fees and application fees. While up to 1614 square feet (150 square meters) was under the scope of small construction earlier, now only buildings up to 860.8 square feet (80 square meters) will get that consideration. With this, ordinary people have also come under the limit of the rate hike. (One sq. meter = 10.76 sq. feet).

In cities, the permit fee for residential buildings up to 1614 square feet (150 square meters) was ₹5 per square meter. According to the new rate, buildings up to 860.8 square feet will be charged ₹15, and above 1614 square feet will be charged ₹100. The revised permit fee is ₹150 up to 3228 square feet (300 square meters) and ₹200 for buildings above that. Common people in cities usually build houses of 1200 square feet. For this, the permit fee (including the service charge and sales tax) was ₹712 till today but ₹13,530 should be paid from tomorrow onwards. It is an increase of 19 folds.

In the municipality

Up to 860.8 square feet -₹10
Above that till 1614 – ₹70
Above that upto 3228 - ₹120
Above 3228 – ₹200

Panchayat

Up to 860.8 square feet- ₹7
Above that till 1614- ₹50
Above that upto 3228- ₹100
Above that - ₹150

1200 square feet house (approx. 120 square meters) permit cost

Old rate

Building permit fee...........₹600 (120 x 5 at the rate of ₹5 per square meter)
Service Charge............₹30 (5% of Permit Fee)
Sales Tax......₹31.5 (5% of permit fee and sales tax)
Application Fee............₹50

Total amount ₹712

New rate

Building permit fee......₹12,000 (120 x 100 at ₹100 per square meter)
Service Charge............₹600 (5% of Permit Fee)
Sales Tax.......₹630 (5% of permit fee and sales tax)
Application Fee............... ₹300

Total amount ₹3,530

'This is a tax robbery that is imposed on the people by the economic crisis created by the government's waste and mismanagement. This should be withdrawn.' - VD Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition