To stop abuse, state to tighten plot lease rules

MUMBAI: The state government has decided to tighten regulations to check violations on plots leased by it.
The move comes on the back of a review which found serious violations in a majority of the plots leased out in the suburbs.
The suburban collector's office had conducted a review of 129 plots whose leases had run out, and found violations, such as unauthorised construction, illegal transfer of land, and change of use, in 95% cases.Sources said violations in conditions of lease were common in leaseholds plots in the island city, too.
Additional chief secretary (revenue) Swadheen Kshatriya indicated that the department plans to keep a tight watch on these plots to check such violations and act against errant plots holders in time. In the past, the department and the local collector's office have invited criticism for failing to act against such violations.
The government had recently revised the lease land policy offering the plot holders the option of securing occupancy rights on a plot by paying a one-time premium. But Kshatriya clarified that the policy demands rectification or regularisation of the violations depending on their nature. It could involve payment of heavy penalties, he indicated.
In the suburbs, the trend of plot holders opting for occupancy rights continues. More than 50% of the 70-odd applications received, so far, have opted for the option. These include actor Shah Rukh Khan, businessmen Azim Premji and the Tata family. But senior revenue department officials feel the trend might not be similar for plots in the island city.
The revised policy also provides the option of renewing lease by paying revised lease rents.