Jharkhand Cabinet Approves Landmark Policy to Regularize Unauthorized Buildings
In a significant move aimed at addressing long-standing urban development challenges, the Jharkhand state government has approved a new policy to regularize unauthorized buildings constructed without sanctioned plans. The 'Jharkhand Regularisation of Unauthorisedly Constructed Building Rules, 2025' was given the green light by the state cabinet on Wednesday, paving the way for legal status for such structures that comply with other construction norms.
Key Provisions of the Regularization Policy
Under this policy, buildings up to a height of 10 meters, specifically those with a ground plus two floors (G+2) configuration, will be eligible for regularization. This applies to both commercial and non-commercial buildings constructed on plots of up to 300 square meters. The initiative is designed to bring a large number of unauthorized constructions into the legal fold, provided they do not violate any other building regulations.
Sunil Kumar, Principal Secretary of the State Urban Development Department, elaborated on the details. "The policy will apply to G+2 buildings only. A fee will be charged for such buildings which have been constructed without proper approval of building plans and they would be regularised. However, these buildings must not be flouting any other construction norms," he stated on Thursday.
Fee Structure and Implementation Process
The regularization process will involve a fee-based system, with minimum charges set at Rs 10,000 for residential buildings and Rs 20,000 for non-residential structures. Kumar further announced that the notification for implementing the policy will be issued shortly, following cabinet approval. An online portal will be launched to facilitate applications from property owners seeking regularization.
Once an application is submitted, it will undergo scrutiny by the concerned department. If all criteria are met, the building will be granted legal status. This streamlined process is expected to simplify compliance and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for homeowners and business operators.
Positive Reactions from Stakeholders
The Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce (FJCCI) has warmly welcomed this decision. Aditya Malhotra, President of FJCCI, highlighted the policy's broad impact. "It is a landmark decision for the state and will likely impact at least five lakh households. We have been pushing for this policy for a long time. Now, those who had unauthorised buildings will finally have proper ownership of their houses. It will also increase the govt’s revenue and will be good for the development of the state," he remarked.
Echoing this sentiment, Sujeet Bhagat, an architect and head of Licensed Technical Personnel of Jharkhand, praised the government's initiative. "This is a commendable move by the govt as house owners will be able to get legal ownership of their property after paying a certain fee," he said, emphasizing the benefits for property owners in securing legal titles.
Broader Implications for Urban Development
This policy is poised to have far-reaching effects on Jharkhand's urban landscape. By regularizing unauthorized constructions, the government aims to:
- Provide legal security to lakhs of households and businesses.
- Generate additional revenue through regularization fees.
- Promote orderly urban development and compliance with building norms.
- Reduce litigation and disputes related to property ownership.
The move is seen as a proactive step towards integrating informal settlements into the formal urban framework, thereby fostering sustainable growth and development in the state.
