As the deadline for the layout regularisation scheme (LRS) approaches next week, the state government has intensified its efforts to maximize revenue by hastening the processing of outstanding applications within urban local bodies.
Municipal administration and urban development minister P Narayana conducted a review of the progress with town planning officials and municipal commissioners via teleconference, instructing them to promptly clear all eligible applications. He emphasized that delays in approvals not only cause inconvenience to applicants but also adversely affect the state’s revenue mobilization efforts. The minister made it clear that commissioners and town planning officials will be held accountable for any shortcomings in the application processing. “We aimed to accommodate all those who were unable to do so in the past.
However, any intentional delays in processing the applications will not be tolerated,” stated Narayana. The government has established a clear objective of integrating all unauthorized layouts into the legal framework under the LRS, which is designed to encourage planned urban development while addressing revenue losses.
Officials were directed to ensure that applications that meet eligibility criteria are approved without unnecessary procedural delays. The current LRS window, which has been extended several times, is set to close soon. The most recent extension has established the deadline as April 23, following a notable increase in applications from plot owners seeking regularization.
According to official statistics, over 61,000 applications have been submitted during the current LRS phase, indicating a substantial rise compared to previous rounds. The scheme pertains to unapproved layouts and plots within municipal areas and urban development authority jurisdictions, assisting owners in obtaining legal status for their properties.
The LRS framework stipulates a minimum application fee of Rs 10,000 and provides a time-sensitive approval process, requiring authorities to process eligible applications within a designated timeframe. Officials have warned that failure to regularize plots may lead to the denial of building permits, registration complications, and even placement on the prohibitory property watch list.
Over the years, the state has identified a significant number of unauthorized layouts. Estimates suggest that more than 14,500 such layouts, encompassing over 78,000 acres, have been discovered, underscoring the magnitude of the issue and the potential for revenue generation.
By expediting approvals in the final phase, the government intends to ensure that legitimate applicants benefit from the scheme while simultaneously enhancing urban planning systems. This initiative is anticipated to considerably increase revenues, a portion of which will be allocated to local bodies to enhance civic infrastructure and services. Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar and CDMA Sampath Kumar were also in attendance.
