No fee refund: Palike

No fee refund: Palike
DH News Service,Bangalore:
The government may bring in certain changes in the scheme before the deadline. If the regularisation fee is reduced, the Palike will refund the difference amount...

Property owners, those who have submitted applications for Sakrama need not worry on money they paid, BBMP has said. Palike Special Commissioner B S Ram Prasad said as the scheme has not been scrapped question of reimbursing the fee paid does not arise.
The State government has extended the period for submission of applications till March 31. The government may bring in certain changes in the scheme before the deadline. If the regularisation fee is reduced the Palike will refund the difference amount, he said. The counters will continue to issue applications; property owners submit applications with necessary documents.
However applications will not be processed till further orders from the State government, Mr Ram Prasad said.
Helpline
Joint Director (Town Planning) S S Toppige said the helpline has been stopped as the Palike staff has confusions over the scheme after the State High Court’s order and the government’s decision to extend the period to submit applications. “We will restart the helpline after consulting the Department of Urban Development for proper directions”, he said.
Mr Toppige said the Palike has already constituted scrutiny committees under Joint Commissioner in each zone to verify the applications. The committees continue to exist but it will not take up applications for scrutiny. The committees will start functioning only after the state government brings in changes in the scheme.
Palike Commissioner Dr S Subramanya said the Palike will follow the State government’s direction on the scheme. “The government has extended the period. I hope at least now the public will understand Sakrama is not the Palike’s programme. Palike is only an implementing agency”, he said.

WHAT’S IN STORE...

*Counters remain open
*Public can purchase applications, submit them
*Helpline will not function for sometime
*Scrutiny committees will continue to exist
*Applications will not be processed