The tax increase, which is going to be implemented to increase the revenue of local bodies, will be affecting the building owners and those who are planning to construct new buildings the most. Some of the new reforms, apart from the fee increase, will be extremely unfavorable. The new reform that the same licensee who takes the permit for building construction should come to get the completion certificate as well when the work is completed, will create big complications. A large group of common people usually entrust the building work to contractors. The contractor will be the one who is responsible for preparing the plan, getting the permit, and obtaining the necessary approvals. If the work is stopped due to a dispute between the owner and the contractor, he is usually replaced by a new contractor, and the work is completed. But according to the new reform brought by the government, the licensee who takes the permit is the one who should complete the work as well. He will also have the right to approach the local authorities for the procedures of acquiring an occupancy certificate. What an impractical reform that puts owners in trouble.

The contractor may have to stop the work midway for various reasons. It cannot be insisted that he cannot do so. In such a case, the only option before the building owner is to hand over the remaining work to a new contractor. When the new decision of the government comes into effect, the person who chooses this option cannot apply for an occupancy certificate. The first contractor who took the permit will be the one entitled to it. What is the assurance that the licensee who leaves because of strife will undertake such a task for the owner? This is a reform that will only serve to put the building owner, who somehow completes the construction by using the money in hand and borrowing from the rest from others, through more trouble. It would be good to check whether this reform is going to be implemented after due deliberation.

There are other rules, including the need to submit a report along with photographs to the local body secretary after each stage of construction. Once a permit is granted, there is a mechanism in place to detect and take action if violations have occurred. This is the main job of a building inspector as well. There are provisions to even demolish the constructions that are made contrary to the plan. So what is the rationale for demanding the licensee himself to report violations at every stage of construction? It is well known that people are not impressed with the construction department of local bodies. Any new regulation introduced in the field of construction will only serve to increase the level of bribery.

A huge increase in the fee charged for building permits is also going to be an additional burden on the people. The permit fee for a 1000 square feet building in the city is about to increase from Rs 750 per square meter to Rs 10,000. Apart from this, the relaxation in rates which was applicable for buildings up to 150 square meters, has now been reduced to 80 square meters. This is to bring even the ordinary people under the additional tax net. There is a huge increase in the permit application fee as well. There is an old saying that people build houses during the worst time of their life. The new building construction rates of the LSG department prove how true this saying is.