Reporter’s Diary: CMDA officials upset over sharing work and ‘income’

A recent order by the government to delegate the powers to the Chennai Corporation and other local bodies in Chennai Metropolitan Area to approve building plans for larger non-high-rise buildings brought positive vibes among the builders, who are hoping to utilise the full benefit of relaxed floor space index. However, officials who wield power to clear applications in the planning authority have put up a long face.

It is learnt that the CMDA has around 200 building plan applications, which were received prior to the order, pending. These can be transferred to the local bodies. “Why do the planners in the building plan wing refuse to transfer the pending applications to the Corporation? They have more manpower,” a CMDA official asked his colleague, while this reporter was overhearing the conversation.

The other official also said that when the government gives the opportunity to relinquish the load, they should make use of it. “It is now the responsibility of the local body engineers, not ours.” The senior among the two, who was mincing his words, suddenly seemed to be losing his cool and opined that corrupt officials in CMDA do not want to lose income. 

As the builders are expected to pay ‘gratification’ charges to the CMDA or local bodies while submitting their applications, this correspondent found it difficult in ascertaining which income the officials were talking about.