Next time an individual applies for the regularisation of illegal construction, he/she will need to pay a 50% security deposit after the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) building department decides to direct the case to a special official for hearing.

Following the newly framed rules as per the provision of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act, an individual has to deposit 50% of the calculated fees for retention of unauthorised construction before placing the matter before the special officer for hearing.

According to KMC officials, depending on the size and construction nature, the hearing officer might pass a retention order of the structure in question or may ask for its demolition.

It is the first time the civic body has recognised the necessity for the retention of these kinds of structures that are allowed under the civic body's building rules while still generating cash from the regularisation drive.

A KMC official told the media that whatever the situation may be, the applicant needs to pay a security deposit in advance, which would be adjusted after the hearing.

If a hearing officer orders the destruction of a structure, the KMC building department will urge the owner to demolish it on his own, according to the guidelines.

As per the rules, if the hearing officer orders the demolition of a specific building, the KMC building department officials would ask the owner to pull it down on their own.

A KMC building department official revealed that the civic brass took this decision to prevent illegal construction and, at the same time, to earn revenue from the structures that can be retained.

On January 21, the matter was discussed at a mayor-in-council meeting, and unanimously, a resolution was passed.

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