The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has initiated a mass transfer of all executive officials from its Town Planning department, days after announcing that building approvals must be issued within a maximum of 27 days. This sweeping move aims to curb corruption and red-tapism that have long plagued the approval process.
Details of the Transfers
Ten officials at the headquarters, including assistant engineers, assistant executive engineers, and four ministerial staff such as executive engineers and superintending engineers, have been transferred. Many of these officials had served in the same department for nearly ten years. The Town Planning wing is one of the GCC's cash-rich departments, handling building approvals for projects worth several hundred crores annually. It issues construction permits for four categories of buildings, including residential and commercial units of stilt plus three floors, as well as all kinds of institutions and industries. It also grants demolition permissions.
Reasons Behind the Mass Transfer
Officials stated that many existing staff had served for over a decade in the same department and were promoted only from within. A senior official explained, "We recently issued circulars to curb corruption and kickbacks in building permits, directing officials to issue permits within 18 days for applications without queries and 27 days for those with queries. The GCC requires a newer set of officials who are not part of the old system, so that people do not face red-tapism and struggle to get building plans approved. Hence, we initiated the mass transfer."
While selective transfers based on requirements, vacancies, and seniority are routine, this marks the first time an entire department has been transferred en masse.
Strict Directives Issued
A communication from Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, sent on Wednesday to all officials, directed zero tolerance for delays in building plan approvals. "Delays must be avoided, and online payment must be focused. Disciplinary action will be taken against errant staff," the communication stated. It also mandated weekly revenue meetings, adding, "Weekly meetings on revenue collection with bill collectors must be held, and the list of defaults must be reviewed separately."
Bar on Summoning Applicants
The GCC has also barred officials from summoning applicants, architects, and engineers to their offices, a move aimed at reducing opportunities for corruption and streamlining the approval process.
This decisive action is expected to bring transparency and efficiency to the building approval system in Chennai, ensuring that citizens and developers no longer face unnecessary delays or harassment.
