Amidst rising inflation, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has proposed to increase processing fees of applications for regularisation of plots in unauthorised layouts under Gunthewari Act by 15 times against prevailing rate. The Town Planning Department proposal is listed on agenda of civic body’s general body meeting slated for February 18. The meeting is to be held through on-line platform and the agenda mentions raising the processing fees to Rs. 15,000. At present, property owners have to submit Rs 1,000 with application seeking plot regularisation. Town Planning Department justifying the hike reasoned that from 2002 to 2020 the land rates have increased around 10 per cent annually. So, if ready reckoner rates are to be considered as benchmark then during the 18 years the hike would have to be 180 per cent.

 

The Rs 1,000 is not enough to cover the establishment expenses that is required to plan for civic development in the unauthorised layouts. Therefore there is urgent need to raise the rate of processing fees. So for new applications for regularisation of plots in layouts recognised by Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) henceforth Rs. 15,000 fees would have to be deposited. The increase in fees would also help NMC in providing necessary civic amenities in the unauthorised layout that would benefit the citizens at large. Similarly, Town Planning Department has also mooted doubling the development charges to be taken from plot holders in unauthorised layout. Right now Maharashtra Government had notified Rs. 56/sq.ft. for providing civic amenities but due to rise in costs of all material and labour charges, a hike is necessary, atleast doubling in a reasonable way, said the note put up the department. It also mentioned that under sec. 6 (3) of Maharashtra Gunthewari Development (Regularisation, Upgradation and Control) Rules, 2001, provides for Infrastructure Improvement Charges through which the said charges can be hiked. After approval from the House, the proposal will be sent to Maharashtra Government for affirmation and then only the hike would come into effect. Also, in the same proposal, Town Planning Department has pointed out that as Gunthewari Rules, only layouts and plots created till prior to 1-1- 2001 can only be regularised. But despite that, NIT through its one window scheme from time to time revised the dates for land regularisation till 14-11-2017. Hence as a last chance, the Town Planning Department has sought six months extension for giving time for citizens to apply for regularisation of their plots.