Water board to continue with existing rules on OCs

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's clarification on occupancy certificates may not offer immediate relief as the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board has said it needs government approval to implement the regulation.

At the BBMP council meeting on Tuesday, its commissioner quoted the Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1976, to clarify that OCs will be issued to residential spaces with five kitchens - irrespective of the floors - and commercial areas more than 300 square metres.

But the BWSSB has said the new regulation will not be implemented right away. The board said it must discuss the new regulation with its members to amend the rules, get government approval and publish it in the gazette before implementation.

"As of now, the existing rules would continue," the BWSSB's chief engineer (maintenance) H M Ravindra said. "Changes will come into effect only after we get approval for the amendment."

Those penalised by the board are less than pleased with the situation since they are bound to affect commercial establishments.

"I've paid the fine until last month," Dr Sridhar, from Jayanagar, said. "Each time, the amount is more. Before the BWSSB implements the new rules, it would continue to collect the fine and there's no refunding."

Most commercial buildings - including the newly built ones - have come up in violation of the bylaws, Dr Sridhar said.

"If we follow the rules in the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), it wouldn't be possible to build commercial complexes," he said. "Even if one were to approach the BBMP to prepare a plan, it's usually done unprofessionally."