Govt to simplify construction work process, assures CM

State will introduce Infrastructure Bill, says Shetter at Statecon meet

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said that the State government will make an effort to simplify the process related to obtaining permission to real estate developers, to take up construction work.

Speaking after inaugurating ‘Statecon 2012’ organised by Confederation of Real Estate and Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) here on Saturday, he said that he will hold talks with the representatives of CREDAI on the need for simplification of procedures within 15 days. The help of private partnership is essential for constructing houses for the poor.

“As there was lack of space, the State government is mulling to introduce a new housing concept of G + 2 in Mangalore, Hubli-Dharwad and Mysore. The cost of the dwelling units would be around Rs 2.50 lakh. There is a need to check the growth of slums by taking up infrastructure facilities,” he said.

“If the real estate developers come up with low cost housing projects, then the State government will surely join hands with them,” he added.

In the last four years, the State government had constructed 8.9 lakh houses and distributed 1.27 lakh sites.

‘Infrastructure Bill’

Stating that the government will introduce ‘Infrastructure Bill,’ Shettar said that the  Bill would provide the much needed boost to infrastructure projects. It will reduce the administrative and procedural delays.

The State government will give thrust on PPP mode for the development of infrastructures.

The State government has earmarked Rs 19,065 crore for infrastructure development in the state.

Initiatives in PPP investments have been taken by the government, wherein 12 PPP projects are currently in operation and 21 others would be implemented soon.  

Development of roads, creation and expansion of minor airports, doubling of railway lines etc are also being given importance, he said.

The CM said that the minor airports will be developed at Gulbarga, Shimoga, Bellary, Hassan and Bijapur. The work on airport at Shimoga will be completed by December 2012.

Real estate sector is the second largest employment generating sector in the country. The environment conservation must also be of paramount importance to real estate developers.

Single window clearance

Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Kumar that the government will consider the single window clearance system and relaxation of taxes. The State government aims at providing more houses to people at an affordable prices.
He said the government has initiated measures to construct 4.11 lakh houses in the year 2011-12. If the private developers join their hands with the State government, then the dream of house for all can be fulfilled.

CREDAI national executive member Balakrishna Hegde and Credai State President Sushil Mantri placed the demands of a single window clearance system to ease the process of getting approval from the departments concerned.

Hegde said that real estate developers have to pay VAT, service tax as well as stamp duty to the government. The real estate developers should be liable to pay only the stamp duty, he said.

Assembly Deputy Speaker Yogish Bhat, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, MLA Krishna Palemar, Mayor Gulzar Banu, CREDAI statecon Chairman K C Naik, CREDAI Mangalore chapter President P M A Razak and others were present.