Architects Oppose Revised RTI Order: Claim That It Will Not Provide Building Plans
The Maharashtra state chief information commissioner had issued orders in September this year barring all state public authorities from providing building plans under the RTI (Right to Information) Act. The order was then reversed and a revised order was given stating what can be provided under the Act. Architects in Mumbai are now opposed to this new directive, calling it dubious.
Order hides more, reveals less
According to the revised order, floor space index (FSI) statements, key plan showing marginal distances, coverage statement, parking statement, key plan showing areas given free of FSI under staircases, balconies, passages etc, IOD/CC, cross section of building, OC (occupation certificate) and other relevant details (except building’s internal details, and room & interior layouts) can be provided. But, the order does not list what cannot be provided under RTI.
Town planners have said that the order does not mention anything about detailed floor plans. A key plan is just a summary and is submitted for ease of computation. Also, the revised order does not mention anything about plans for mandatory open spaces, exchangeable FSI, site and layout plans, and areas free of FSI. A couple of architects who obtained construction plans of Metro Line I and II under RTI, had exposed various shortcomings in the plans. They stated that the revised order specifies only information which is irrelevant and withholds interlinked documents and plans.
The Concession Report has not been mentioned in the list of information to be issued. The report summarizes various approvals and scrutiny fees, deposits, premiums etc. by the government. The FSI statement too is not significant in isolation, as this does not state free of FSI areas. FSI free areas are integral part of the calculation. They are specifically shown in the plans and area diagrams. Many violations occur in approving such FSI free spaces.
There are many other serious violations that have been exposed after obtaining documents through RTI. Architects and activists claim that the revised order does not state any of those. Hence, more visibility is needed in terms of documents being made available through RTI.
