Daman: The impact fee law implemented by the Daman Municipality is being blatantly misused by some builders in the union territory. After the construction was immediately stopped in the name of CRZ despite the construction permit being held by a member of the Daman Municipality itself, the case of construction going on unhindered despite the CRZ approval being not granted by other builders in collusion with the officials has come to light.
The impact fee law has been implemented by the Daman Municipality to regularize unauthorized constructions. In which only the constructions done till the year 2022 are covered. In which provisions have been made for not regularizing constructions that violate CRZ rules, Coast Guard approval, Fire NOC, and Archeology rules. But under the sweet mercy of the municipality’s own officials, there have been murmurs among the members of the ruling party of the municipality that a policy like “one is a fool and the other is a fool” is being adopted.
According to the details received, when a councilor of the municipality started construction since he had a construction permit, the administrative officials raised the question of CRZ approval and stopped the construction overnight. After which, the councilor asked the Chief Officer in the Daman Municipality’s WhatsApp group a penetrating question about the basis on which permission was given for construction of other constructions that are unauthorized and do not even have CRZ approval, the Chief Officer assured to conduct a proper investigation in this matter and take necessary action. However, the entire matter went awry when the officers under the CO gave the reason that fire and lift work was going on instead of CRZ and made the officer wear glasses upside down.
According to the information received, unauthorized constructions, which were earlier issued notices by the municipality itself, are working unhindered to take advantage of the impact fee law. While the reason behind not allowing the ruling BJP leader to work despite having a construction permit is still not understood. But the elected representatives of the municipality have understood very well that those who are in the good books of administrative officers are not affected by any law.
There should be no scope for corruption in the implementation of the Impact Fee Act
A written representation has been made to the Chief Officer by the members of Daman Municipality to ensure that no allegations of corruption are levelled against councillors, officers or staff during the implementation of the Impact Fee Act. Along with this, it has also been suggested to present the complete survey report of the buildings which apply under the Impact Fee Act to all the members of the Municipality, as well as to calculate the impact fee amount correctly.
