Gujarat increases financial powers of Collectors, DDOs for govt land allotments

Gandhinagar, July 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Gujarat government on Tuesday expanded the financial powers of District Collectors and District Development Officers (DDOs) to approve a wider range of government land allotments at the district level, a move aimed at shortening administrative procedures and speeding up infrastructure, industrial, rural development and public welfare projects across the state.

Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said: "The enhanced powers form part of the state government's continuing efforts to improve 'ease of doing business' and simplify administrative processes by reducing the need for cases to be referred to Gandhinagar."

Under the revised framework, District Collectors will have substantially higher financial limits for approving government land allotments for state government boards and corporations, Central government departments, residential purposes, cooperative housing societies, commercial use through auction, and cooperative godowns and other institutions.

The financial limit for allotting up to two hectares of land to state government boards and corporations has been increased from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

For allotment of up to one hectare of land to Central government departments for public purposes, the limit has been raised from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

For residential land allotments to government employees and individuals, the limit has increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, while the limit for cooperative housing societies has been enhanced from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

The financial limit for commercial land allotment through auction has risen from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, and for cooperative godowns and other institutions from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 15 lakh.

The government has also increased the financial powers of District Development Officers for the allotment of Gamtal plots. The limit for individual residential plots has been raised from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

For cooperative housing societies, it has increased from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh, while the limit for milk cooperatives, cooperative godowns and rural grid projects has been enhanced from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

According to the state government, the revised powers will allow a larger number of cases to be decided within districts, where land records and site-related information are already available, reducing administrative delays and simplifying the approval process.

"The changes are expected to facilitate quicker allotment of government land for public infrastructure, industrial development and social sector projects, while also supporting employment generation," officials said.

Earlier collection of possession charges or premium for government land is also expected to ensure that revenue is deposited into the state treasury sooner.

The decision is also intended to reduce the need for applicants, institutions and government departments to pursue approvals in Gandhinagar, allowing follow-up procedures to be completed at the district level.

In another procedural change, District Collectors have been authorised to grant an extension for payment of possession price or premium in cases involving allotment of land to state government boards, corporations and Central government departments if payment is not made within 90 days of the demand notice.

The extension may be granted up to the completion of the three-year tenure of the District Land Valuation Committee, a measure the government said would "reduce" repetitive administrative processes.

Source: IANS