G.O.(Ms).No.194, Provision of Higher Floor Space Index for Economically Weaker Sections/Low Income Group/Middle Income Group Housing

What the document changes

Government Order G.O. (Ms.) No. 194 dated 19 December 2016, issued by the Housing and Urban Development (UD4-2) Department, directs planning authorities to publish final notifications varying their Master Plan regulations. The variations provide additional Floor Space Index and plot coverage for specified Economically Weaker Sections, Low Income Group and Middle Income Group dwelling units.

Areas and authorities covered

Government Order G.O. (Ms.) No. 194 applies through two planning systems:

• Within the Chennai Metropolitan Area, the Member Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority must issue the final notification varying the Development Regulations under the Second Master Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area, 2026.
• Outside the Chennai Metropolitan Area, the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning must direct Local Planning Authorities to issue final notifications varying their applicable Master Plans.

The earlier directions called for amendments to Regulations 25, 26, 27 and 28 in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. For Local Planning Authorities outside Chennai, they called for Regulation 6-A to be added after Regulation 6.

Additional development allowances

Government Order G.O. (Ms.) No. 194 records the following dwelling unit limits and additional Floor Space Index:

• Economically Weaker Sections units with a plinth area up to 40 square metres qualify for 50 per cent additional Floor Space Index.
• Low Income Group units above 40 square metres and up to 60 square metres qualify for 30 per cent additional Floor Space Index.
• Middle Income Group units above 60 square metres and up to 70 square metres qualify for 15 per cent additional Floor Space Index.
• Economically Weaker Sections, Low Income Group and Middle Income Group housing may receive 10 per cent additional plot coverage over the normally allowable plot coverage.

Final notification process

Government Order G.O. (Ms.) No. 194 records that draft notifications had been published under the applicable procedures and that no public objections or suggestions were received within the due date. It therefore directs the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and the Local Planning Authorities to complete the final notification process under section 32(4) of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.

For a buyer, owner or developer, the relevant unit size, housing category and applicable planning authority determine which additional allowance may apply.