Dr Ibrahim Al Shaar, Director of Medical Commission, speaking to media persons and (Right) people waiting for their turn for tests at the Medical Commission headquarters yesterday. Kammutty V P
DOHA: The Advisory Council has urged the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning to simplify building licensing procedures.
The Council, at its regular weekly session on Monday, passed a proposal to the effect.
It was passed by 14 votes in favour. Nine members voted against the proposal while two abstained.
Another key proposal passed by the Council relates to the exterior colour of buildings.
A draft law passed by the Cabinet and referred to the Council early last September suggests that all buildings in the country should have their exteriors painted in colours decided by the municipality of the area concerned.
The Council referred the draft law to its internal services committee, whose recommendations were debated by the Council on Monday.
The Council proposed that the above rule be applied only to new buildings that would be constructed after the new law is put into force and existing buildings should be exempted.
Another important proposal likely to be discussed at the next session of the Council is about giving one week to house owners who have violated licensing rules and made alterations.
Currently, the law (No. 4 of 1985 regulating buildings) provides 24 hours to violators to rectify the situation.
The Council is likely to ask the authorities concerned to give violators at least one week to comply with licensing conditions.
Member Nasser Al Kabi moved a proposal which was rejected by the Council.
He said that those building smaller houses should not be asked to leave five metres of space (in length) in front as mandated.
Some people build homes on plots admeasuring just about 30 metres long and 30 metres wide at costs that can reach QR5m, said Al Kabi.
“So they should not be asked to leave so much space in front of their houses,” said Al Kaabi. “The land is so expensive.”
But the Council did not approve the proposal on the ground that the above condition is not specified by the law, and is rather a rule set by the ministry.
The Peninsula
