VIJAYAWADA: As the deadline for the Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS) approaches next week, the state government is increasing efforts to boost revenue by accelerating the processing of outstanding applications in urban local bodies.
Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana conducted a review with town planning officials and municipal commissioners via teleconference, urging them to immediately process all eligible applications. He emphasized that undue delays not only inconvenience applicants but also hamper the state’s revenue collection efforts.
The minister stated that town planning officials and commissioners would be held accountable for any lapses in application processing. “We aim to support those who missed previous opportunities, but purposeful delays in clearing applications will not be tolerated,” Narayana concluded.
The government is focused on integrating all unauthorized layouts into the legal framework through the LRS, intended to encourage organized urban development and reduce revenue losses. Officials were directed to approve applications that meet the eligibility criteria without unnecessary procedural delays.
The current LRS window, which has seen multiple extensions, is set to close soon, with the latest deadline being April 23. This extension follows an increase in applications from property owners seeking regularization. According to official figures, over 61,000 applications have been submitted in the latest LRS phase, a significant rise from previous periods. The scheme is applicable to unapproved layouts and plots within municipal and urban development authority areas, allowing owners to secure legal status for their properties.
The LRS requires a minimum application fee of Rs 10,000, and establishes a time-sensitive approval process, mandating that eligible applications be cleared within a defined timeframe. Failure to regularize plots may lead to confiscation of building permits, registration challenges, and possible inclusion on a prohibited property watch list, warn officials.
The state has identified numerous unauthorized layouts over the years, with estimates revealing more than 14,500 designs across over 78,000 acres. This highlights both the extent of the issue and the potential for revenue recovery.
By hastening approvals during this final phase, the government aims to ensure that legitimate applicants benefit from the scheme while simultaneously enhancing urban planning frameworks. This initiative is expected to significantly elevate revenues, part of which will be allocated to local bodies to enhance civic infrastructure and services. Present at the review were Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar and CDMA Sampath Kumar.
