The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced exemptions for small commercial buildings from obtaining a building completion certificate for electricity connections, effective June 28.
Coimbatore: The Department of Housing and Urban Development has introduced a significant regulatory change that benefits small commercial buildings. As per a notification released on June 28, commercial buildings with a built-up area of up to 300 square meters and a height not exceeding 14 meters are now exempt from the need to obtain a mandatory building completion certificate to secure an electricity connection. This move aligns with existing exemptions provided to residential buildings that sport up to eight dwelling units or cover 750 square meters.
The policy change has sparked reactions among community activists who argue that this exemption encompasses commercial buildings up to nearly 3,000 square feet, regardless of the number of outlets they contain. A major concern brought up is the lack of a strict definition for "commercial" properties, which they believe could lead to larger commercial complexes benefiting disproportionately.
"I was advocating for exemptions that would help small businesses, especially petty shops. However, the relaxations given apply to quite a large area, potentially including commercial complexes, which could contravene existing court orders. It would be more appropriate if the exemption specifically targeted small retail buildings," one activist commented, concerned about the potential for confusion and the broad application of the new rule.
The policy change has sparked reactions among community activists who argue that this exemption encompasses commercial buildings up to nearly 3,000 square feet, regardless of the number of outlets they contain. A major concern brought up is the lack of a strict definition for "commercial" properties, which they believe could lead to larger commercial complexes benefiting disproportionately.
"I was advocating for exemptions that would help small businesses, especially petty shops. However, the relaxations given apply to quite a large area, potentially including commercial complexes, which could contravene existing court orders. It would be more appropriate if the exemption specifically targeted small retail buildings," one activist commented, concerned about the potential for confusion and the broad application of the new rule.