– Committee under div comm to submit report in 2 months
Nagpur :- In view of several representations to the state government to reduce the rate of conversion of nazul land to freehold, the revenue ministry has set up a three-member committee under Nagpur divisional commissioner to look into the issue. Nagpur district collector and deputy divisional commissioner (revenue) are the other members. The panel has to submit its report in two months. There are about 10,000 nazul plot holders in the city and they are hoping that the committee will recommend providing substantial relief to them.
The state government in March 2019 had decided to allow conversion of nazul lands alloted through auction or in any other manner, to freehold. The plot owner/owners had to pay 5% of ready reckoner value of the plot for making it freehold. However, this rate was too high for most plot holders and very few holders sought conversion. Following several representations, the state cabinet decided to consider a reduction in conversion rate on July 24 this year. The three-member committee has been formed in pursuance of this division.
The brief of the committee is to suggest ways for changing: the rate for regularizing the violations of nazul lease by plot holders, the ground rent rate and nazul to freehold conversion rate and also to review the nazul policy in a comprehensive manner.
Swanand Soni, who has been leading the movement for reduction in conversion rate since years, cautiously welcomed the decision. “We had been demanding this since last winter session of Legislature. We hope that the committee submits its report quickly,” he added.
Soni further said that due to 5% conversion rate only the plots that had been purchased by builders for constructing high rises had been converted to freehold. “The commercial conversion rate is 10%. We are not seeking its reduction but the rate for residential plots should be reduced to 2%. Many states have allowed conversion of plots to freehold at between 1% and 2% of ready reckoner,” he added.
