Now, KHADC authority to issue building permission

SHILLONG, April 21: KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Titosstarwell Chyne on Friday said that landowners can directly apply for building permission from the Khasi Hills Building and Structure Regulatory Authority (KHB&SRA) within the master plan areas of the Council after obtaining the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the concerned Rangbah Shnong of the respective localities and villages.
Talking to reporters, Chyne said that people are no longer required to go to the office of the Syiem to obtain the NOC.
According to Chyne, the Rangbah Shnong can issue the NOC after verifying the necessary documents like the site plan and the land patta.
He further said that the engineers and architects of the regulatory authority will need to go for an inspection of the site and also examine the plan estimates before issuing the building permission.
The KHADC CEM informed that the master plan areas of the Council are extended to Smit, Mawryngkneng, Umiam and Elephant Falls, Upper Shillong.
Replying to a query, Chyne admitted that the Council will need to strengthen the manpower of the authority, adding that the state government has deputed few of its engineers and experts to attach with the authority.
“The KHADC Executive Committee (EC) will discuss the need to strengthen the authority by appointing more technical staff,” he stated.
The KHADC CEM said that even banks have now recognised the building permission and documents issued by the Council if people want to apply for housing loans. “It is a major relief to the people that the fees we are charging are very nominal compared to other authorities,” Chyne said.
He also said that the people now have started to come forward to obtain land rights certificates as per the KHAD (Regulation and Administration of Land) Act, 2021.
“Many people cannot afford to register their land with the Revenue Department of the state government since the fees are very high. But the fees for obtaining the land rights certificate are minimal,” the KHADC CEM said.
When contacted, Nongrim Hills Rangbah Shnong, Bantylli L. Narry said that people are asked to submit the land patta and building plans which have provision for parking space and rainwater harvesting facilities in order to obtain the NOC while applying for the building permission.
According to him, the Dorbar Shnong does not have any say on whether they should approach the office of the Syiem or the KHADC for the building permission.
Meanwhile other Rangbah Shnong spoken to said they still in a state of confusion because many who want to construct their homes still go to the Syiem of Mylliem to get the NOC. They are looking at the KHADC to provide greater clarity on this matter.
The Rangbah Shnong who spoke to The Shillong Times also said that there has to be a strict format to be followed before giving the building permission because as of today every Rangbah Shnong gives building permissions arbitrarily.