Over One Lakh Beneficiaries Avail Permits Through Tamil Nadu’s Self-Certification Scheme for Building Approvals

CM M.K. Stalin Hailed for Promoting Transparency and Efficiency in Urban Development

Chennai – Tamil Nadu’s groundbreaking Self-Certification Scheme for Building Permits, launched under the Urban Development Department, has crossed a significant milestone with over 1,01,925 approvals granted to beneficiaries so far. The initiative, designed to simplify and speed up the approval process for residential buildings, has been widely praised by citizens, many of whom met Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin on July 7 at the Secretariat to express their gratitude and personally hand over approval documents.

A Game-Changer in Urban Housing Approvals

Announced during the 2024–2025 financial policy statement, the scheme introduced an innovative method that allows applicants to receive instant building approvals via self-declaration, eliminating the need to visit government offices. Launched officially on July 22, 2024, CM Stalin had personally issued the first batch of building permits to applicants under this scheme.

The scheme is targeted at economically weaker sections and the middle class and allows construction of residential buildings up to 3,500 sq. ft. (on plots up to 2,500 sq. ft.) with ground and first floors, with a maximum height of 7 meters. Applicants can submit documents and receive approvals entirely online from the comfort of their homes.

One of the biggest advantages of the scheme is that these houses do not require separate completion certificates, thereby reducing time, costs, and administrative burden for residents.

Tremendous Uptake Across the State

Since its inception in August 2024, the Self-Certification Scheme has processed and approved:

• 68,748 applications from village panchayats
• 23,488 from municipalities
• 8,150 from town panchayats
• 1,539 from municipal corporations

In contrast, between October 2023 and June 2024, only 59,715 approvals were issued through the conventional method. The steep increase in approvals under the new system reflects its efficiency and accessibility, and has also led to a decline in unauthorized constructions.

Government Officials Commend the Initiative

Present at the event were:

• Minister for Housing & Urban Development, Prohibition and Excise, Thiru S. Muthusamy
• Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Thiru Na. Muruganandam, IAS
• Additional Chief Secretary, Ms. Kakarla Usha, IAS
• Director of Town and Country Planning, Thiru P. Kamalesan, IAS

Officials emphasized that the Self-Certification Scheme not only empowers citizens but also supports orderly urban growth and reduces red tape, aligning with the state’s broader mission of transparent governance and sustainable urbanization.

Issued by:
Director, Department of Information and Public Relations, Chennai – 9