Tue Oct 28 05:22:49 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, suitable for “The Hindu” readership:

Andhra Pradesh Cracks Down on Illegal Construction, Sets August 31 Cut-off Date

Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh – October 28, 2025: The Andhra Pradesh government has issued a strict directive to all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Urban Development Authorities (UDAs) to immediately identify and demolish any unauthorized construction undertaken after August 31, 2025. The order aims to prevent exploitation of the recently introduced Building Penalisation Scheme (BPS-2025).

According to a memo issued by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department, the BPS-2025 is intended as a “one-time opportunity to regularize past deviations, not a license to violate planning norms,” stated Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar.

The government has made it clear that any construction violating the deadline of Aug 31, 2025 will face zero tolerance, with government officials will be held accountable. Town planning officials, Commissioners, and vice-chairpersons of ULBs and UDAs are directly responsible for compliance, with potential disciplinary action for any negligence.

The memo also mandated photographic and videographic documentation of ongoing construction works with GPS and date stamps to differentiate between pre- and post-cut-off structures.

A state-wide awareness drive is being launched to ensure the public understands that only constructions completed before the August 31, 2025, deadline are eligible for regularization. “The message is clear: build responsibly and follow the rules. The era of unregulated constructions is over,” Kumar said.

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