‘Single-window permission for buildings’

Due to involvement of multiple agencies in the issue of building construction permission, the citizens have to face lots of difficulties

as well as loss of valuable time, says CM

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, July 3: Building a dream home in Assam’s capital city here is a Herculean task for many. Even after managing money through bank loans and savings, people have to run from pillar to post to get permission from the authorities concerned to build their dream home in this city considered as the gateway to the Northeast.

But finally there is hope of realizing such dreams easily. In a significant move to make building construction clearance hassle-free in Guwahati city, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday directed the Guwahati Municipal Corporation to act as the single-window agency overriding the multiple agency system.

Sonowal, while reviewing the implementation of various government schemes and programmes under the Guwahati Development Department (GDD), directed the department to make necessary modifications in the existing system so that the people could obtain the building permission by applying at GMC only.

“Due to involvement of multiple agencies in the issue of building construction permission, the citizens have to face lots of difficulties as well as loss of valuable time,” Sonowal said at the meeting.

During the meeting the CM directed GDD Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya to introduce a new system for online receipt of application, fee etc. at GMC and develop it as the single-window agency for issue of building construction permission.

Sonowal took strong note of depletion of ground water level in Guwahati city due to rampant deep boring activities for water sources at residential areas. He asked the GDD to suitably amend the existing provisions of the GMC Act and also to go through relevant Acts of other Governments to make it mandatory to obtain permission from the government before undertaking any deep boring within the capital city.

He reviewed the progress of water supply projects being implemented in Guwahati city. Expressing displeasure on delay in commissioning of the projects, the CM asked the field monitoring and implementing agencies to expeditiously complete and operationalize the projects.

In response to the Chief Minister’s direction, the MD, Jal Board apprised him of the present status of the projects and said that both JNNURM and JICA projects would be partially commissioned in March 2019.

Sonowal during the meeting also stressed exploring potential of the Brahmaputra river in fulfilling the drinking water needs of the people of the State. He asked the department to develop a concept note for setting up drinking water packaging plants on both sides of the river and also other interventions to tap the excess water during monsoon.

Besides, several other programmes being implemented under Smart City Project and other wings of the GDD were also reviewed by the Chief Minister during the meeting. Sonowal advised the officials to draw up a comprehensive roadmap to give a facelift to the city putting maximum thrust on cleanliness. He also directed the department to take speedy measures for setting up a new agency for conservation of Deepor Beel to preserve its rich heritage and bio-diversity.

Making a strong pitch for promotion of sustainable development goals in all the government schemes and programmes, Sonowal further asked the department to prepare a roadmap for holistic development of Guwahati in view of the future requirements.