HP Guv urged to give assent on town and country planning Bill

Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister P K Dhumal today urged Governor Acharya Devvrat to give his assent to the HP Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill, which was passed by the Assembly in the monsoon session.
"It will be a big relief to people, as the Bill seeks to regularise illegal constructions on 'as is' and 'where is' basis," he informed the Governor in a meeting here.
Even the multi-storied buildings constructed in blatant violation of the HP Town and Country Planning Act, 1977, without any sanctioned building plans, also qualify for regularisation, the Leader of Opposition claimed.
A BJP delegation led by Dhumal impressed upon the Governor that the Act was "not implemented" in the state.

"Commoners who have purchased land at cheap rates in the vicinity of towns and constructed their houses are waiting for regularisation for years," he claimed.
These people have spend their entire capital in constructing their houses. They are among those who have not encroached on government land, the delegation claimed.

They added the amendment was a one-time provision for regularisation of illegal constructions.
The Governor assured them that he would soon take a decision on the issue after considering all aspects.
Two days ago, State Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma had met the Governor on the issue.