Cabinet nod to sub-committee to regulate rural construction

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Saturday decided to constitute a sub-committee to finalise a draft framework aimed at regulating the fast-growing construction activities in the state’s rural areas.

The cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, approved the formation of a cabinet sub-committee headed by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi to finalise the draft of the Rural Area Development Guidelines. The panel will include Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh, Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh and Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani as members.

Under the proposed plan, Gram Panchayats will adopt these guidelines in the form of model by-laws to regulate construction in rural areas, many of which are witnessing rapid urbanisation — particularly those adjoining towns and semi-urban belts. Dharmani had earlier indicated that the government intends to bring construction under regulation in rural areas.