A separate policy will have to be brought regarding free holding of plots on lease in the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) area, said MLA Pravin Datke in the Legislative Assembly through a point of interest. Minister Madhuri Misal assured that a decision will be taken to free hold the lands of Nagpur Improvement Trust during the session itself. MLA Pravin Datke raised this issue in the Legislative Assembly during Budget session of State Legislature. Datke said that about 9,000 plots have been given on lease in 22 schemes of Nagpur Municipal Corporation. Some of these plots are from before the existence of the Municipal Corporation and the land premium has also been charged from the concerned.

 

Also, as many as 61,527 residential plots have been given on lease by NIT and they have been on lease for the last 100 years. Since this decision will directly benefit about 10 lakh citizens of Nagpur city, Datke made a concrete demand that the plots of the Municipal Corporation and NIT should be made freehold on the lines of the Nazul policy. Minister Madhuri Misal said, “Currently, regular lease agreements exist for these plots. A proposal has been received from NIT on December 12, 2025 regarding freehold.” Misal also said that a decision will be taken in the same session. This is a freehold scheme under which the lands given on lease will be owned by the residents currently living there. 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 to fix freehold charges and allow people to have ownership of their plots. Madhuri Misal had announced in the Monsoon Session of State Assembly. The issue is being constantly raised by Pravin Datke. Misal had 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 decision will benefit 50,000 families in Nagpur city, Datke made a written request to the Government and has been pursuing the matter regularly. Datke had written a letter to the Chief Minister and the Urban Development Minister, drawing 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. Datke requested the Government to take positive measures early. 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.