There are 55,719 plots under Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and Maharashtra Government has made up its mind to make the plots freehold. The Government had received a proposal in that regard last month to fix freehold charges and allow people to have ownership of their plots. This was announced by Maharashtra Minister of State Madhuri Misal in the State Assembly. It will be a major decision and thousands of people will heave a sigh of relief once it is implemented.

 

The issue is being constantly raised by MLA Pravin Datke. Informing the State Assembly during Monsoon Session of State Legislature, Madhuri Misal explained, “We have already received the proposal in that regard. We are contemplating to fix freehold charges to 2% of the ready reckoner and 5% for the plots above 1,000 sq ft size. All the departments have been informed, and we are awaiting their reports.” Once the decision is implemented, people will not have to pay ground rent and get No Objection Certificate (NOC) from NIT. Datke had pointed out, “The Revenue Department of the Government has made the lands of Nazul freehold. The Municipal Corporation has made the lands in its possession free hold by charging 2 per cent and on the same lines, the people having their lands under Nagpur Improvement Trust are also demanding to give them same kind of relief. People having lands under NIT have to visit the authority’s office to renew the lease after the stipulated years.”

 

Since the lands of Nagpur Improvement Trust will benefit 50,000 families in Nagpur city, Datke made a written request to the Government and has been pursuing the matter regularly. In a letter written to the Chief Minister and the Urban Development Minister, Datke has drawn attention to the different working methods of the 2 planning authorities in Nagpur city. The State Government has decided to give the ownership of the lands of Nazul to the people. Similarly, while the Municipal Corporation has also taken a decision, there is a strong demand for such a decision regarding NIT. The people of Nagpur have to pay different taxes like the property tax of the Municipal Corporation and the land rent tax of the National Urban Development Authority. Since there are 2 planning authorities in the same city, there is confusion in taxes. There are at least 50,000 families in Nagpur who have leased the land. The Government should take action by taking funds from them as per the government rules and giving them freehold plots to provide relief to the citizens. Datke requested the Government to take positive measures before the end of the Monsoon session of the State Legislature. The proposal for 55,719 plots has been received by the Government and is under the Government’s consideration. Earlier also due to the efforts taken by Datke, Maharashtra Government had reduced the Nazul land freehold charges from 5% to 2% of ready reckoner rate. Datke had been constantly following up the issue for the Nazul plot-holders for last 2 years.