Delhi to probe irregularities into buildings cleared without mandatory fee payment
The Delhi government has warned that property owners who obtained approvals without paying the mandatory charges may face notices and recovery proceedings. In cases where dues remain unpaid, sealing action may also be initiated.
The Delhi government has launched a probe into allegations that building plans of residential, commercial and group housing projects were approved without payment of the mandatory Infrastructure Development Charge (IFC), potentially causing a loss of thousands of crores of rupees to the state exchequer.
Delhi Jal Board Minister Parvesh Verma has ordered a detailed investigation after preliminary findings suggested that several applicants allegedly secured building plan approvals from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) using Delhi Jal Board letters instead of valid No Objection Certificates (NOCs) confirming payment of IFC dues.
According to Verma, Delhi Jal Board records in several cases showed that the payment amount was recorded as “zero”, despite approvals being granted on the basis of letters issued on official letterheads.
“Initial investigation has revealed that around 300 properties with an area of over 3,000 square metres have been identified. Nearly 70 per cent of these properties appear to have received approval without depositing IFC,” Verma said.
APPROVALS OF LAST 10 YEARS UNDER SCANNER
The minister said the government is now examining building plan approvals issued by the MCD over the last 10 years, five years and one year to identify possible violations and determine the extent of revenue loss.
The probe will also examine the role of officials from the Delhi Jal Board and the MCD. Verma said some engineers of the Jal Board nearing retirement, along with MCD officials, could have played a role in the alleged irregularities.
The government has warned that property owners who obtained approvals without paying the mandatory charges may face notices and recovery proceedings. In cases where dues remain unpaid, sealing action may also be initiated.
The Delhi Jal Board charges IFC on new constructions and redevelopment projects to fund the expansion and strengthening of water and sewerage infrastructure.
Verma said the investigation was initiated after complaints surfaced that NOCs were allegedly being issued without verifying whether IFC payments had been made. These documents were then used by applicants to obtain building plan approvals from the MCD.
The minister said the government is also checking whether other properties constructed during the past five years followed the prescribed process.
IFC CHARGES REDUCED EARLIER IN 2026
The allegations come despite the Delhi government reducing IFC rates earlier this year by up to 70 per cent to ease the financial burden on property owners.
Under the revised rates, IFC charges in Category A and B colonies were reduced from Rs 13.18 lakh to Rs 5.40 lakh, while charges in Category E and F colonies were cut from Rs 3.29 lakh to Rs 2.70 lakh. For Category G and H colonies, the charges were reduced from Rs 3.29 lakh to Rs 1.62 lakh.
The government said the reduction was aimed at making compliance easier for property owners, but strict action would be taken against those who allegedly bypassed payment rules and obtained approvals through improper documentation.
The Delhi government has launched a probe into allegations that building plans of residential, commercial and group housing projects were approved without payment of the mandatory Infrastructure Development Charge (IFC), potentially causing a loss of thousands of crores of rupees to the state exchequer.
Delhi Jal Board Minister Parvesh Verma has ordered a detailed investigation after preliminary findings suggested that several applicants allegedly secured building plan approvals from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) using Delhi Jal Board letters instead of valid No Objection Certificates (NOCs) confirming payment of IFC dues.
According to Verma, Delhi Jal Board records in several cases showed that the payment amount was recorded as “zero”, despite approvals being granted on the basis of letters issued on official letterheads.
“Initial investigation has revealed that around 300 properties with an area of over 3,000 square metres have been identified. Nearly 70 per cent of these properties appear to have received approval without depositing IFC,” Verma said.
APPROVALS OF LAST 10 YEARS UNDER SCANNER
The minister said the government is now examining building plan approvals issued by the MCD over the last 10 years, five years and one year to identify possible violations and determine the extent of revenue loss.
The probe will also examine the role of officials from the Delhi Jal Board and the MCD. Verma said some engineers of the Jal Board nearing retirement, along with MCD officials, could have played a role in the alleged irregularities.
The government has warned that property owners who obtained approvals without paying the mandatory charges may face notices and recovery proceedings. In cases where dues remain unpaid, sealing action may also be initiated.
The Delhi Jal Board charges IFC on new constructions and redevelopment projects to fund the expansion and strengthening of water and sewerage infrastructure.
Verma said the investigation was initiated after complaints surfaced that NOCs were allegedly being issued without verifying whether IFC payments had been made. These documents were then used by applicants to obtain building plan approvals from the MCD.
The minister said the government is also checking whether other properties constructed during the past five years followed the prescribed process.
IFC CHARGES REDUCED EARLIER IN 2026
The allegations come despite the Delhi government reducing IFC rates earlier this year by up to 70 per cent to ease the financial burden on property owners.
Under the revised rates, IFC charges in Category A and B colonies were reduced from Rs 13.18 lakh to Rs 5.40 lakh, while charges in Category E and F colonies were cut from Rs 3.29 lakh to Rs 2.70 lakh. For Category G and H colonies, the charges were reduced from Rs 3.29 lakh to Rs 1.62 lakh.
The government said the reduction was aimed at making compliance easier for property owners, but strict action would be taken against those who allegedly bypassed payment rules and obtained approvals through improper documentation.
The Delhi government has launched a probe into allegations that building plans of residential, commercial and group housing projects were approved without payment of the mandatory Infrastructure Development Charge (IFC), potentially causing a loss of thousands of crores of rupees to the state exchequer.
Delhi Jal Board Minister Parvesh Verma has ordered a detailed investigation after preliminary findings suggested that several applicants allegedly secured building plan approvals from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) using Delhi Jal Board letters instead of valid No Objection Certificates (NOCs) confirming payment of IFC dues.
According to Verma, Delhi Jal Board records in several cases showed that the payment amount was recorded as “zero”, despite approvals being granted on the basis of letters issued on official letterheads.
“Initial investigation has revealed that around 300 properties with an area of over 3,000 square metres have been identified. Nearly 70 per cent of these properties appear to have received approval without depositing IFC,” Verma said.
APPROVALS OF LAST 10 YEARS UNDER SCANNER
The minister said the government is now examining building plan approvals issued by the MCD over the last 10 years, five years and one year to identify possible violations and determine the extent of revenue loss.
The probe will also examine the role of officials from the Delhi Jal Board and the MCD. Verma said some engineers of the Jal Board nearing retirement, along with MCD officials, could have played a role in the alleged irregularities.
The government has warned that property owners who obtained approvals without paying the mandatory charges may face notices and recovery proceedings. In cases where dues remain unpaid, sealing action may also be initiated.
The Delhi Jal Board charges IFC on new constructions and redevelopment projects to fund the expansion and strengthening of water and sewerage infrastructure.
Verma said the investigation was initiated after complaints surfaced that NOCs were allegedly being issued without verifying whether IFC payments had been made. These documents were then used by applicants to obtain building plan approvals from the MCD.
The minister said the government is also checking whether other properties constructed during the past five years followed the prescribed process.
IFC CHARGES REDUCED EARLIER IN 2026
The allegations come despite the Delhi government reducing IFC rates earlier this year by up to 70 per cent to ease the financial burden on property owners.
Under the revised rates, IFC charges in Category A and B colonies were reduced from Rs 13.18 lakh to Rs 5.40 lakh, while charges in Category E and F colonies were cut from Rs 3.29 lakh to Rs 2.70 lakh. For Category G and H colonies, the charges were reduced from Rs 3.29 lakh to Rs 1.62 lakh.
The government said the reduction was aimed at making compliance easier for property owners, but strict action would be taken against those who allegedly bypassed payment rules and obtained approvals through improper documentation.
