The Telangana government’s attempt to regularize unauthorized layouts through the Layout Regularization Scheme (LRS) is facing serious roadblocks, leaving thousands of applicants unable to complete the process. With an extremely complex approval system, nearly 90% of applicants have not been able to proceed with fee payments.
Automated Fee Calculation Yet to Be Implemented
The government had announced that LRS fees would be automatically determined for plots, except for those:
- Located within 200 meters of Full Tank Level (FTL) of lakes
- Adjacent to government lands
However, this automated calculation has not been implemented, forcing applicants into long bureaucratic delays.
LRS Applications Stuck at Level-1 Officer Approval
Most applicants find that their LRS status remains pending at Level-1 officer approval, with no clear instructions on whom to contact. The process requires:
- Field inspections by Level-1 officers to verify compliance.
- No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) from Revenue and Irrigation Departments.
- Final approvals by HMDA’s Planning Officer (PO) or Chief Planning Officer (CPO).
- Director-level verification before issuing proceedings.
- Only after these steps can fees be paid online or at the registration office.
This multi-level approval system has led to severe delays, preventing applicants from paying LRS fees even though the government has announced a 25% discount on payments until March 31.
Corruption and Bureaucratic Delays Add to Frustration
Due to the complexity of the process, many applicants report that officials are demanding bribes by pointing out minor discrepancies in documents. Field-level officers are deliberately delaying approvals, making it impossible for applicants to move forward.
With LRS applications piling up and deadlines approaching, public frustration is growing. Citizens are demanding a faster, more transparent, and streamlined process to prevent delays and corruption.
Also reported in Telugu360.
