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Updating of building by-laws, zoning rulesdirected

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Secretary Muhammed Zubair Kidwai on Monday directed the secretary Housing and Town Planning Department to expedite the updating of building bye-laws and zoning regulations and put up the draft proposal at an early date for approval.

Kidwai was talking to a delegation of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) that called on him at his office.

The delegation listed a number of problems faced by builders and developers and asked the CS for early solution to these problems to revive the construction industry.

Abad said high duties and registration fees were exceptionally high, in the range of 10 to 12 percent, and needed rationalization and brought to 5 percent at an average. The CS directed the secretary to ascertain the position from other provinces and put up a draft proposal.

The CS said de-freezing and restoration of plots should be taken up on case to case basis.

On Abad demand for re-composition of KBCA's Oversee Committee, the CS said the secretary was examining cases on merit and without any discrimination.

He assured the Abad that its demand for representation on governing bodies of all development agencies and board of directors of all utility agencies would be examined.

Abad put forward another demand for one-stage approval of building plan. However, the CS said that the plinth level verification will remain a mandatory condition. He directed the HTP secretary to submit a report in this respect in 15 days.

The CS also directed the secretary to examine the Abad proposal regarding issuance of new/renewal of builders and developers licence and making the same mandatory with Abad membership.

As regard scrutiny of completion plans, the CS asked the KDA DG to receive the plans submitted for scrutiny along with prescribed fee.

The CS assured Abad that issue of commercialisation of plots will be finalized after consulting the Abad.