TS Assembly passes the historic TS-bPASS Act unanimously

Hyderabad: Ushering in a new era of transparency through a single window clearance for building permissions in urban areas, the State Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Telangana State Building Permissions Approval and Self Certification System (TS-bPASS) Bill on Monday.

The Bill, which seeks to bring in revolutionary reforms that will put an end to endless wait and bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining building permissions, was described as a progressive law by Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister K T Rama Rao while introducing the Bill in the House. It will facilitate citizens take up construction of their houses through self-certification. If the authorities don’t sanction the building permission within 21 days, then the permission is deemed to have been given.

“The TSb-PASS is a self-certification system that will make citizens responsible and ensure that they adhere to the building and layout permission rules of the State government. As per the new law, no building permission is required for plot areas measuring 75 sq.yards and building height upto 7 metres. But, the applicants must register with the urban local body concerned using TS-bPASS by paying a token fee of Rs 1,” he said.

The Minister explained that similarly, citizens can obtain instant permissions for constructions in plots measuring 75 sq.yards to 600 sq.yards through self-certification and commence their construction work. “A single window approval will be issued for all layouts and buildings in plot sizes of more than 600 sq.yards and buildings that are more than 10 metres in height. Thus, the applicants can file one common application without requiring to approach all other relevant departments for obtaining necessary clearances,” he said.

In a time-bound manner, the application will be sent automatically to the relevant departments including irrigation, fire, revenue, police, Airports Authority of India and others who will send their remarks or no-objection certificate within 7-15 days. Finally, the municipal authorities concerned will examine the documents and issue necessary permissions within 21 days. In case of requirement of any document, the same will be intimated to the applicant within 10 days. The building  permissions will be issued along with the geographical coordinates of the plot. The occupancy certificates will also be issued within 15 days upon submitting relevant documents, Rama Rao said.

Under the new Act, all municipalities including GHMC are mandated to clear all the building permission applications within the stipulated 21 days failing which the permission is deemed to have been approved. “Further, an automated certificate will be issued to the applicant on the 22nd day with the signatures of the authorities concerned including the municipal commissioner and the town planning officer on behalf of the municipality concerned, to enable them obtain bank loans or other financial assistance. Similarly, certificates will be issued instantly for even those applications for construction in plots measuring less than 75 sq.yards,” the Minister said.

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