Government to issue ordinance to regularise illegal buildings

BANGALORE: The Karnataka government today decided to promulgate an ordinance to regularise byelaw deviations in residential and commercial buildings in urban areas of the state by collecting penalty, from the date of its assent by the Governor.

Governor H R Bhardwaj had recently given the green signal to the "Akrama Sakrama" Bill which allowed property owners to regularise their building byelaw deviations, specifically those related to setback and floor area ratio, but this applied to buildings constructed before December three, 2009.

The proposed ordinance would ensure that all such buildings constructed before the date of its assent are covered, Law Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters here.

Deviations in building constructions are common in urban areas of the state, particularly Bangalore, and regularisation is expected to generate considerable revenue.

Jayachandra, who holds the Animal Husbandry portfolio also, said the Cabinet decided to give a compensation of Rs 25,000 per head of cattle which died due to the foot and mouth disease (FMD).

He said the Karntaka Milk Federation, milk unions and the government would collectively pay the amount.

As per initial estimation, FMD has claimed 2,332 head of cattle in the past few days in the state, where 18,386 animals have been affected by the disease in 1507 villages, officials said.

The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, also approved 22 public holidays for the calendar year 2014.

It also authorised the Chief Minister to take a call on appointing the new Chief Secretary to replace the incumbent S V Ranganath, who is on service extension. There are 17 bureaucrats on the selection list, including some on central deputation, he said.

It gave the green signal to establish a dialysis centre in a Taluka headquarters in each district, Jayachandra said.
The Cabinet adopted a news advertisement policy which would bring in uniformity and entrust the entire task to Information Department, including those issued by state-run Boards and corporations.