Control on erection of buildings

Control on erection of buildings —

1. (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, no person shall, without the written permission of the Gram Panchayat and in accordance with the bye-laws made under this Act in this behalf, erect a building or make any alteration or addition to an existing building or reconstruct a building. If the permission is not refused by the Gram Panchayat within forty-five days from the date of receipt of the application, it shall be deemed to have been granted.
2. (2) If any person, without the permission of the Gram Panchayat, and contrary to any conditions, subject to which the permission was granted, erects a building, makes any alteration or addition or reconstructs it, the Gram Panchayat may, by written notice, direct such person to stop such erection, alteration, addition or reconstruction and may, within the time specified in the notice, direct him to alter or demolish such erection, alteration, addition or reconstruction as it may deem necessary in the public interest.
3. (3) If any person fails to comply with the directions contained in the notice served by the Gram Panchayat under sub-section
4. (2) within the period specified in the notice, the Gram Panchayat may itself get the action, which the person was required to take, carried out at the expense of such person and such expenses shall be paid by such person within thirty days from the date on which the demand notice was served by the Gram Panchayat. On failure to pay the expenses within the specified period, the same shall be recovered as arrears of land revenue. (3-a) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3), whoever contravenes any of the provisions of this section or rules or bye-laws made thereunder or the conditions of the permission granted by the Gram Panchayat or fails to comply with any lawful directions or requisitions made under any of the foregoing provisions, may be prosecuted by the Gram Panchayat or by an officer authorized by the State Government in this behalf and on conviction shall be punished with simple imprisonment which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees or with both, and in case of a continuing offence, with a further fine which may extend to two hundred fifty rupees for every day, after the date of first conviction, during which the offence continues.
5. (4) An appeal against any order or notice of the Gram Panchayat under sub-section
6. (2) may be made to the prescribed authority and the decision of the prescribed authority on such appeal shall be final.