Haryana architects can now issue OCs for houses in plotted colonies.

GURUGRAM: The DTCP has decided to allow appointed architects to issue occupancy certificates (OCs) for plotted houses in licensed colonies. The change is intended to expedite and simplify the process of obtaining an OC for homeowners. It has, however, raised concerns about architects being duped into issuing the papers and violations such as illegal extensions going undetected.

Officials promised that random inspections of building plans and actual constructions would occur and that if violations occurred, the architect in question would be held accountable and even blacklisted. However, at any given time, the checks would be limited to only 10% of the sites.

The current procedure for obtaining an оc is time-consuming and tedious.
Architects must now submit DTCP applications for the buildings they intend to design. A team visits the house and inspects whether the construction complies with the Haryana Building Code, 2017 after the documents have been scrutinized at multiple levels. The оc is only granted after the DTCP team has approved it. The process might take weeks or months to finish.

Allowing architects to grant OCs, according to TL Satyaprakash, director-general of DTCP, will expedite the entire process. In the signed order, he wrote, “It has been made the decision that the architect will be the authority responsible for issuance of occupation certificate in conformity with Haryana Building Code 2017 under self-certification policy.”

It also established the standard procedure that architects must follow prior to receiving the certificate. “First, the building owner must make a request to the architect in accordance with HBC 2017.” “The architect should document all such applications.” Second, the architect must notify the department in writing that he has not received a show cause notice and is not on any government agency’s blacklist.”

According to the order, the architects must thoroughly examine all documents, including the approved building plan, any deviations noted on it, photos of the front and back areas, internal finishing, and the structural ability certificate. Under the self-certification policy, the architect may grant the OC if the building is “complete in all respects.”

After receiving all of the required documents, the architects will have eight days to grant the OC. They will have three days after receiving the OCs to submit copies of the certificate and all other records to the DTCP.

Satyaprakash’s order acknowledged that architects might violate their “professional ethics” by granting the certificates. “As a result, each district’s DTP (district town planner) will be required to examine 10% of the OCs obtained from architects.”

Architects may lose their licenses and be blacklisted if violations are discovered after the OCs have been granted. “The department may also suggest to the registrar’s office that such architects’ floors/buildings not be enrolled.”