BJD Submits Memorandum to Collector Seeking Urgent Approval of Pending Building Plans
Sundargarh, March 18, 2025: The members of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Sundargarh, have submitted a memorandum to the Collector and District Magistrate, urging immediate intervention in the long-pending approval of building plans within Sundargarh Municipality. The party has raised concerns over administrative inefficiencies that have left approximately 180 building plans awaiting clearance, causing severe inconvenience to applicants and substantial revenue loss to the Urban Local Body (ULB).
According to the memorandum, the delay in approvals is primarily due to technical flaws and slow processing by municipal authorities. Many applicants, who had subdivided their plots between May 30, 2017, and December 30, 2022, are now required to pay 15% of the benchmark value of their plots under the Odisha Development Authority (ODA) regulations. However, prolonged bureaucratic hurdles have led to immense frustration among property owners.
Revenue Loss & Tax Disparities
The BJD delegation highlighted the adverse financial impact on the municipality, citing:
- Declining Revenue: Due to stalled approvals, the municipality is losing revenue from building plan fees.
- Holding Tax Discrepancies: Inefficient tax evaluation has led to disparities, where a single-storey house built in 2000 on a 5-decimal plot pays more tax than a 50-decimal property.
- Reduced Municipal Income: Poor enforcement of tax collection has further weakened the financial position of the urban body.
BJD’s Demand for Immediate Action
The memorandum calls for urgent measures, including:
1. Expedited Clearance of Pending Plans: The party has urged officials to fast-track the approval process for the 180 pending applications.
2. Fair and Transparent Tax Assessment: Immediate revisions are needed to ensure fairness in holding tax evaluations.
3. Systemic Reforms: The party has suggested implementing an efficient digital tracking system to prevent future delays.
Speaking on the issue, a BJD representative stated, “The unnecessary delay in building plan approvals is not only affecting the applicants but also causing financial losses to the municipality. We expect the administration to take swift action to resolve this crisis.”
The Collector and District Magistrate have assured the delegation that the matter will be reviewed, and appropriate steps will be taken to address the concerns raised. The residents of Sundargarh now await decisive action from the authorities to streamline the approval process and boost the municipality’s financial health.
Sanjay Pattnayak
Sundargarh
