Ambiguous land regularisation guidelines leave people in a tizzy

The government’s decision to regularise encroached lands has left many applicants in a tizzy. Reportedly, the guidelines mentioned for the process are ambiguous and even the authorities lack clarity on several points. According to the two GOs (58 and 59) that were issued last week, only encroachment in the form of a functional building unit is to be considered for regularisation.

The GOs have also failed to shed light on the 4,000 pending applications, which were accepted prior to 2008 under the earlier regularisation scheme (under GO 166). Many of them have paid the required fees and have not yet received final orders on their applications because of a stay order from the High Court.

These applicants are now thronging revenue offices and collectorates seeking clarity on whether their applications would be cleared or should they apply afresh? Many have paid amounts to the tune of lakhs back then and are lamenting that paying the same amount once again is something they cannot afford. They even question the rationale behind paying the current registration value having already registered the land in their names.

“We advise the people who have paid DD earlier to approach the ULC (Urban Land Ceiling) offices with the copy. But, if the details aren’t in our records, they have to pay the current registration value,” informed Keesara Tehsildar.

By:Suresh Kashyap