Severe penalty soon on illegal buildings in Kerala

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Stressing on the need to plug tax loss, Rajesh said that an extensive inspection shall be carried out to identify buildings that underwent alterations without getting the approval of respective local bodies.

 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: LSGD minister MB Rajesh said on Thursday that stringent penalties will be imposed on unauthorized constructions in state and portions of buildings constructed in an illegal manner will invite three times the original property tax.

 

Stressing on the need to plug tax loss, Rajesh said that an extensive inspection shall be carried out to identify buildings that underwent alterations without getting the approval of respective local bodies. Houses, with an area of up to 1,500 sq ft, will be exempted from being penalized with three times the original tax.

 

The minister added that the government is also considering a reasonable hike in building permit fee and the rates will be fixed later. "Permit fee in other states is much higher than Kerala. In Kerala, this has not been hiked periodically. The hike would be fair and it would be used to meet the expense required for the technical investment in giving prompt service to the people," he said.