KIIFB warns against projects sans statutory clearances

Thiruvananthapuram: KIIFB has sought to tighten the adherence to norms for the construction in the building sector projects in the wake of certain slippages identified by the Board.

In a recent note issued to all SPVS and heads of all KIIFB Divisions, the chief executive of KIIFB, KM Abraham, has cautioned that many of the building sector projects funded by KIIFB have not obtained the statutory clearances/ NOC/concurrence from various Government Departments.

This is taking place despite the KIIFB guidelines that clearly state that “Technical Sanction shall be issued only after finalising the Land Acquisition process and after ensuring the availability of all necessary statutory clearances for the work.”

As per the rules laid out by KIIFB, all new building projects funded by it and having a total built-up area of 2,500 square metre or above are supposed to be designed and built in compliance to the requirements of GRIHA 3-star rating or above.

Compliance with mandatory clearances prior to the commencement of construction is a pre-requisite to be considered eligible for GRIHA rating.

In a definite move to incorporate statutory clearance requirements into the project development cycle of the Building Sector projects funded by KllFB, certain key guidelines have been issued by the management.

The new guidelines require special purpose vehicle (SPV) that undertakes the project to submit a declaration to KIIFB regarding compliance with the provisions of applicable statutes, duly signed by the Engineer-in-charge of the SPV.

Moreover, the SPVs are required to submit a duly filled checklist of clearances and copies of applications for necessary approvals to KIIFB for appraisal, along with the detailed project report (DPR).

SPVs are required to ensure that technical sanctions (TS) will be issued only after finalising the Land Acquisition process and the availability of all necessary statutory clearances.

Apart from the new projects to be submitted for appraisal, SPVs are required to abide by the said instructions for all projects currently under appraisal and also projects for which financial sanction has been accorded, but work has not yet been tendered or awarded.