FAR, land use norms to be relaxed to spur roof top power plants, says UT Khader

MANGALURU: Urban development department has decided to relax norms pertaining to floor area ratio (FAR) and procedure for change of land use from one proposed in the Master Plan under section 14-A of Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961 to spur high rise tenements go in for solar power plants. This relaxation could help RWAs of such high rise set up roof top solar power units, minister for urban development UT Khader, said.

Interacting with reporters on Monday, Khader, also district minister, said existing rules on FAR and change of land use were an impediment to high rise setting up solar power plants on their terraces. With this relaxation, more RWAs of flats could come forward to set up solar power plants that could offset their need for grid power for common utility lighting or even on individual basis and thereby reduce load on power generating stations, he said.

Admitting tax collection of most urban local bodies including Mangaluru City Corporation left lot to be desired, Khader said strict instructions have been given to ULBs to perk up the same during review meetings. The urban development department is planning to collect UGD cess upfront while issuing building license. Steps have also been taken to ensure verification of property tax paid with help of GIS mapping technology, he noted.

Referring to pilot scheme mooted by him recently for MCC, Khader said the UD department has sought budgetary support to roll it out. Under this pilot, the city corporation will be able to remotely disconnect water supply in case any residential or commercial unit fails to pay their water cess within a prescribed time, he said, adding such technological intervention is necessary to prevent other considerations that creep in to deal with defaulters.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes