Tax reduction for green buildings on the cards

By Jisha Surya

T'Puram: Go green is the new policy of Public Works Department (PWD). As part of generating a green culture in the state, the PWD has decided to implement a common rating system for residential and commercial buildings. According to a draft policy, the PWD has also decided to give tax reduction to different categories of green buildings.

PWD Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju said, the green building policy is to propagate messages of conservation of energy and natural resources. “The PWD is planning to give tax reduction for green buildings. The percentage of reduction will be decided later. This will be submitted for Cabinet approval. A final decision is expected in 2-3 months,” he added.

The government has decided to adopt Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) rating with some modifications. Upcoming green buildings will be classified in five categories -from one star to five star.

The government will constitute a Green Building Regulatory Committee for certification of green building and an expert committee for evaluation of projects. Evaluation committee will be under PWD secretary and will be headed by PWD chief architect. PWD deputy chief engineer, superintendent engineers of mechanical wing and electrical wing, deputy chief engineer of Local Self Government Department, KSEB chief engineer, KWA chief engineer, deputy chief town planner, deputy chief engineer, Pollution Control Board and a Green Building expert will be the members of the evaluation committee.

It has been decided to take steps to reduce energy consumption of a new building by 30 percent. The energy consumption of existing building will be reduced between 15-20 percent within a time span of five years. For this, a direction has to be issued by authorities concerned to follow the relevant rules in Energy Conservation Building Code by Bureau of Energy Efficiency in 2001, the draft policy states.

GRIHA has a 100 point system consists of some core points, which are mandatory, while the rest are optional points. As many as 34 categories to limit consumption of energy and conservation of natural resources are listed. The rating will be based on this score.

According to the draft policy, against the tree which were cut down for the construction, new saplings must be planted in the ratio 1:3.

However, all is not well after getting the green building certificate. A Post Occupancy evaluation team (POET) will fix standards for old and new buildings. If the building fail to maintain minimum level of certification, it will be canceled. The review will be done every two years.

The government has decided to equip all government departments in green building technology and methods by end of 2012.