Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel increases powers of Collectors, DDOs for govt land allotments

According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the decision is aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, industrial growth, and social and public purpose projects by allowing cases to be resolved at the district level.

In this regard, the Chief Minister has decided to substantially enhance the financial powers of District Collectors for the allotment of government land and grant of land for public undertakings and various purposes, as well as the financial powers of DDOs for Gamtal plots.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the State Government has consistently adopted an approach of improving Ease of Doing Business while introducing administrative reforms and extensive simplification of procedures. Taking another significant step in this direction, the Chief Minister has enhanced the powers of District Collectors and District Development Officers to expedite the process of government land allotment.

As per the release, the financial limit for District Collectors to allot up to 2 hectares of land to State Government Boards and Corporations has been increased from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 1 crore. Similarly, the limit for the allotment of up to 1 hectare of land to Central Government departments for public purposes has been raised from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

Further broadening the scope of local decision-making, the financial limit for allotment of land for residential purposes for individuals and government employees has been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. For Cooperative Housing Societies, the limit has been enhanced from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, while the limit for land allotment for commercial purposes through auction has been raised from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. Additionally, the financial limit for Cooperative Godowns and other institutions has been increased from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 15 lakh.

Similarly, the powers of District Development Officers (DDOs) for the allotment of Gamtal plots have also been revised. The limit for individual residential plots has been raised from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1,00,000, while the limit for Cooperative Housing Societies has been increased from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh. For Milk Cooperatives and Rural Grids, the limit is now Rs 1,00,000, up from Rs 20,000.

As a result of this decision by the Chief Minister, cases can now be resolved at the district level itself. Since land records and site-related information are readily available at the local level, the administrative process will become shorter and more efficient.

Furthermore, the decision will enable faster allotment of government land for government projects and industrial and social purposes, thereby accelerating development works and employment generation. It will also ensure that the possession price/premium amount for government land is deposited into the State Treasury at an earlier stage.

As District Collectors and DDOs have now been empowered to take decisions at the local level, applicant institutions and government departments will find it easier to complete follow-up procedures at the district level itself.

As per the release, for allotment of land to State Government Boards/Corporations and Government of India departments, if the possession price/premium is not paid within 90 days after the intimation generated by the District Collector, the Collector will now have the authority to grant an extension until the completion of the three-year tenure of the District Land Valuation Committee. This will reduce repetitive administrative procedures. (ANI)