Maharashtra Govt. launches E-Portal for building plans

THANE: :In a step that could lift the veil of secrecy surrounding the process of construction projects, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Monday inaugurated a web-based portal for issuing clearances for new building plans.

The portal software—designed to issue timebound clearances and commencement certificates—has been the pet project of Thane municipal commissioner R A Rajeev, who faced criticism from members of the standing committee at the time he was introducing the domain to the CM.The domain, “tmc.tp” , will enhance transparency by allowing proposals for building projects to be sanctioned online in a specified time-frame , officials said. TMC corporators , cutting across party lines, voiced their protests against Rajeev for “ignoring” them and having the portal inaugurated by the CM.

Shiv Sena member Ram Repale opposed the manner in which the civic chief chose to “ignore” the elected representatives . Designed by Nagpurbased software professional Prashant Ugemuge, the portal will give the commissioner daily updates on the status of each proposal and can question any delay by the subordinate officials . In the beginning, proposals would now be scrutinized by a surveyor or an assistant director online who will then put his seal of approval.