Centre rejects Kerala move to ease CRZ Rules for grama panchayats

Thiruvananthapuram: Following a recent decision of the Central Government, it has become clear that Kerala would not be able to fulfill a promise of its Chief Minister to finalize the Coastal Zone Management Plan by mid-April this year.

The Centre has rejected Kerala’s proposal to re-designate grama (village) panchayats as areas with urban characteristics to obtain exemptions under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules. Of the 398 panchayats re-designated as areas of urban characteristics in Kerala, 175 are covered by CRZ Rules. Even though Kerala had requested the Centre to upgrade these panchayats from CRZ 3 which is applied to panchayats to CRZ 2 for cities, it was rejected.

Consequently, the Kerala Coastal Management Authority has sought legal opinion from the Advocate General on the validity of the Centre’s decision.

A’ and ‘B’ panchayats

Earlier, the state had divided panchayats into two categories under the Kerala Panchayat Building Rules. While panchayats having urban charecteristics were listed under Category A, the others were designated as Category B. This process was based on population figures, population density and professions of the residents.

According to the latest CRZ notification, no constructions are allowed at a specific distance from the tidal line to the land. However, construction activities could be carried out on the side of the land for buildings and roads in urban areas which existed before 1991. Moreover, exemptions are given for activities such as tourism. Kerala’s intention was make these concessions available for another 175 panchayats.

But, the Centre rejected Kerala’s proposal saying that only City Corporations or urban panchayats could be included under CRZ 2. In order to change the zone, Kerala should notify grama panchayats as urban panchayats, instead of panchayats with urban characteristics, according to the Centre.

However, Kerala is reluctant to change the status of grama panchayats as urban panchayats because the local bodies would lose benefits such as various aid programmes and the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

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