Forum for Good Governance Urges Telangana Govt to Activate Building Tribunal
The Forum for Good Governance (FGG) has called upon the Telangana government to urgently make the Town Planning and Building Tribunal operational to address the ongoing challenge of unauthorised constructions across urban bodies.
What Happened
In a formal submission directed to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, FGG president M. Padmanabha Reddy pointed out that unregulated building activity is severely hindering planned urban development and inconveniencing citizens. According to the organisation, municipal agencies frequently issue demolition notices against illegal buildings, but builders routinely secure court-ordered stays. This legal gap allows work to persist in open disregard of building and fire safety standards.
Although the tribunal was officially constituted in 2016 to accelerate enforcement and resolve building-related disputes swiftly, its leadership and panel members remain unappointed, leaving the regulatory body non-functional for nearly a decade.
Key Highlights
- The Forum for Good Governance submitted a representation to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy urging immediate appointments to the Town Planning and Building Tribunal.
- The body was created in 2016 to speed up enforcement actions, but no chairperson or members have been selected so far.
- In response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by the FGG, the Telangana High Court on April 27, 2022, ordered the state to finish the tribunal constitution process within four weeks.
- The FGG noted that inaction persists despite the court directive, leaving the matter unresolved for almost 10 years.
- Absence of a specialized tribunal allows violators to obtain stays from regular courts and continue construction against safety norms.
Why This Matters
Without an active tribunal, the regulatory mechanism to control municipal building violations remains weakened. Builders exploit the absence of a dedicated judicial forum by securing stay orders from general courts, which prolongs disputes and delays demolitions. This permits unauthorised structures to be completed without meeting essential fire safety and town planning benchmarks, posing long-term hazards to urban infrastructure and the public.
What to Watch Next
The state government is now faced with FGG’s demand to heed the 2022 Telangana High Court directive. Observers will be looking to see if Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy steps in to approve the appointments for the chairperson and members, finally bringing the tribunal into working order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Forum for Good Governance write to the Chief Minister?
The FGG submitted a representation asking for the immediate appointment of officials to make the Town Planning and Building Tribunal operational, ensuring rapid action against unauthorised constructions.
When was the Building Tribunal established?
The tribunal was established in 2016 to facilitate swift resolution of building violations, but it has remained non-functional due to the lack of appointed members.
What did the Telangana High Court rule on this matter?
On April 27, 2022, following a Public Interest Litigation moved by the FGG, the Telangana High Court instructed the government to conclude the appointment process within four weeks.
Source: Based on a report by The Hindu.