Maha to amend Act to facilitate use of farmland for industries

The Maharashtra government today decided to amend a key land law to facilitate speedy industrial development of the State and curb illegal sale or purchase of farmland.
The Cabinet approved a proposal to amend Section 43 of the Maharashtra Tenancy and Agricultural Land Act to make it legally tenable for owners to use their farmland for industrial purposes after payment of penalty.
Speaking to reporters here, Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse said the proposed amendment will allow the land holders to use their agricultural lands for industrial purposes after payment of penalty amount as per existing market rates.
"The amendment is proposed to facilitate speedy industrial development. In many cases, sale or purchase of agricultural lands is done in violation of norms and as such Government takes possession of such lands," he said.

As per the proposed amendment to Section 43, deals signed for industrial use of farmland will be considered valid if the owner possesses land under ceiling limit.
"Deals of such agricultural land will be treated valid if the owner pays 50 per cent penalty of the existing market rate," Khadse said.

"Many a time land deals are done under pressure or in contravention of existing norms. In many cases agricultural land is left unused and hence to promote its industrial use the Government has decided to amend the Tenancy Act."
Commenting on a civil writ petition filed in the Supreme Court regarding measures being taken to tackle drought in Maharashtra, the Minister said the State has not yet filed its statement before the SC.

The State had put a proposal of Rs 4,002-crore drought relief assistance with the Centre. Subsequently, the Centre released Rs 3,686 crore in two instalments on January 16 and 19.