INDORE: The Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has escalated its efforts against the abuse of its automated ‘deemed approval’ system for building permits, resulting in the cancellation of licenses for five consultants and engineers.
This decision, led by IMC Commissioner Kshitij Singhal and Additional Commissioner Prakhar Singh, came after a probe into the issuance of online building permits. The system, intended to automatically approve plans for smaller structures within 24 hours without manual checks, was manipulated by applicants to evade necessary fees and reduce future property tax responsibilities.
A review of 300 online building permissions over a two-month period surfaced evidence of significant irregularities, prompting notices to 47 property owners and consultants. The investigation revealed that many applicants under-reported actual construction areas to bypass proper fee structures, while some falsified records to register built-up plots as vacant land.
Moreover, unauthorized joint constructions were noted, involving the illegal amalgamation of individual plots. In light of these vulnerabilities, IMC has commenced a thorough review of all permits granted via the digital platform to recover outstanding dues and uphold regulatory compliance.
The professionals sanctioned in this action include Bharat Panchal, Rahul Sharma, Yogesh Jain, Devendra Patel, and Ashutosh Sankhla, all of whom are now prohibited from practicing within municipal limits.
