TN govt submits unapproved layouts regularisation scheme in HC

The Tamil Nadu government today submitted to the Madras High Court its scheme to regularise the unapproved plots and the new rules to convert the use of agricultural land to other purposes.
The government submitted its plot regularisation scheme and the land use conversion rules to a bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar, complying with its order given yesterday.
The bench had asked Additional Advocate General Ayyadurai yesterday to submit it the new rules and circulate them to the stakeholders also to enable them submit their views.
The counsel submitted to the bench the government order (GO) passed by the Housing and Urban Development Department dated May 4, notifying the "Regularization of Unapproved Plots and Layouts Rules 2017."

The Tamil Nadu Change of Land Use (from Agriculture to Non-Agriculture purposes in Non-Planning Areas) Rules 2017 too was submitted.
The new rules, which came into force from immediate effect, exempts all unapproved layouts and plots, where any or all plots were sold and registered on or before October 20, 2016 from the purview of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.

Various guidelines have to be followed for the change of land use from the agriculture to non-agriculture purposes in non-planning areas by authorities including the collectors.
On September 9, 2016, the bench of erstwhile Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul had ordered a blanket ban on registrations of all unapproved layouts and change of agricultural lands into housing plots.

The court had said it was necessary to prevent further development of unauthorised layouts and conversion of agricultural areas for non-farm use.
It would also help save ecology and prevent flooding, the court had said giving time for the government to come out with the necessary policy and the legislative changes.
During the proceeding yesterday, the bench of Chief Justice Banerjee had also been told that as many as 9,760 unapproved plots and house sites converted from agricultural land had been registered in Tamil Nadu from September 9, 2016 till March 28 despite a blanket ban. The matter was posted to May 12.