Lieutenant-Governor approves draft policy for inter-dept allotment of land

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 3

Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) VK Saxena on Sunday approved the draft uniform policy for inter-departmental allotment of land, including subordinate departments, autonomous bodies, boards, etc.

As there was no uniform policy to deal with the inter-departmental allotment of government land, inordinate delays extending up to years occurred in the execution of critical projects. Files concerning this matter kept shuffling between departments and agencies. The draft policy, approved by the L-G, will now come into force with immediate effect, officials stated.

Will deal with land prices, other issues

• The policy will address the rates at which land will be allotted, depending on the nature of the allotment
• If the allotment is for public utility, it will be provided free of cost, provided the allotting agency acquired the land in question without cost
• In cases where the allotting agency acquired the land at some cost, such as through acquisition, the rate will be based on a no-profit, no-loss basis
• In cases where the land is being allotted by the land owning department to another for commercial purposes, zonal variant rates of the DDA will be charged for allotment

Officials from the L-G office explained, “The policy addresses the rates at which land will be allotted, depending on the nature of the allotment. If the allotment is for public utility, it will be provided free of cost, provided the allotting agency acquired the land in question without cost. In cases where the allotting agency acquired the land at some cost, such as through acquisition, the rate will be based on a no-profit, no-loss basis (as is the case with land allotment from Delhi Development Authority).”

In cases where the land is being allotted by the land owning department to another for commercial purposes, zonal variant rates of the DDA will be charged for allotment, they added. A seven-member committee, headed by the Additional Chief Secretary (General Administration Department), was tasked with formulating the policy.

The draft policy elaborates on the procedure for allotment of land by the Land Owning Agency to any other government body (allottee agency), and specific recommendations in this regard will require the approval of the L-G, an official said.

The Land and Building Department shall serve as the Nodal Department for the implementation of the policy, and the Land Owning Agency and allottee agency shall mutually decide upon the nature of the allotment, whether it will be on leasehold or freehold basis, etc.

Another official stated, “The policy also stipulates that prior approval of the L-G will be necessary for the cancellation of land allotments.” The committee will have to submit its recommendations through the Chief Secretary before the L-G for consideration and final decision.

“The policy, as suggested by the Law and Justice Department, also includes suitable clauses for maintaining a record of transferred and allotted land in the custody of the administrative department concerned, ensuring proper record management in perpetuity,” the official said.

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