PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Ramnagar
The Nazul land dispute in Ramnagar remains a major hurdle, stalling both urban development and the ownership rights of thousands of local families. A survey reveals that approximately 9,000 homes in the city are built on Nazul land, leaving residents without legal titles. Ironically, while the administration labels these residents as encroachers, the municipality continues to collect annual property taxes from them.
In such a piquant situation, a permanent solution to the Nazul land issue could not only provide relief to the insecure house owners but also become a major source of revenue for the government.
Secretary of the trade board, Anil Agarwal has raised the demand for implementing a simple and public-friendly freehold policy for Nazul land. “A prompt restructuring is needed to create a mutually beneficial outcome for everyone involved. The Nazul policy for Ramnagar was enacted in 1998. At that time, 60 per cent of the 1990 circle rate was set for residential buildings and 100 per cent for commercial buildings. This policy was relatively simple and flexible, due to which many people acquired their buildings for freehold at a low cost.
Subsequently, in 2009, a new Nazul policy was implemented, making the rules much stricter and the amount fixed much higher. Under this policy, the circle rate was set at 100 per cent of the current circle rate for residential buildings, 200 per cent for illegal occupants and 200 per cent for commercial buildings. Due to the high rates, it became difficult for ordinary people to obtain freehold rights to their buildings,” he said.
Another trader, Anil Khulasa said that the freehold process is currently closed even at this rate.
“We suggest that the circle rate at the time of the formation of Uttarakhand be used as the basis for calculations when formulating a new freehold policy. Furthermore, freehold should be granted in favour of the occupants, even if a government lawsuit is pending on the Nazul land. Other conditions could be maintained in accordance with the 1998 policy,” he said, adding that if implemented, this policy would result in people getting legal ownership of the houses they live in and also a massive increase in the government revenue through freehold fee, stamp duty and house tax received by the municipality.
The trader outfits stress that a strong policy and willpower are needed now to resolve the lingering dispute once and for all.
Told of the traders’ suggestions, the Municipal Corporation’s executive officer Alok Uniyal stated that the then district magistrate (DM) had imposed a moratorium on the transfer of Nazul land in 2010. “However, it was withdrawn after locals informed the DM of the problem they kept facing during a public hearing programme. This process is currently on hold. A detailed report has been prepared and sent to the DM. We are aware of the revenue loss for the civic body. We expect a positive order soon,” he added.
