Gujarat Assembly today passed a Bill to make it easier to change the use of agricultural land for non-farming purposes amid opposition from Congress which alleged the move was aimed at helping real estate developers.
The House cleared the Gujarat Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill-2016 that seeks to amend the Gujarat Land Revenue Code of 1879, which lays down procedure for converting agricultural land into non-agricultural (NA).
Congress MLAs alleged that by passing the Bill, which introduced a clause of "multipurpose NA", ahead of the 2017 Assembly polls, the BJP-led state government is helping builders.
Explaining the rationale behind the move, Health Minister Nitin Patel said as per the current Code, land owners have to acquire NA certificate every time they want to change the land use pattern (like setting up industry or residential project).
"If the owner wants to change the use of land, which is already declared NA land by Collector, he has to undergo the same procedure. In such a situation, the land owner faces many difficulties as the procedure takes it's own time," Patel said.
The Minister was speaking on behalf of Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, who handles Revenue among other portfolios.
"We have seen cases where people converted their agriculture land into NA land to build a residential society and later on changed their mind to set up a commercial complex, as they find it more profitable. In such cases, they have to once again apply to obtain NA land certificate for that purpose," said Patel.
"To save people from hassle of applying again, we are introducing the provision of 'multipurpose NA'. Under this, occupants can use their NA land for any purpose of their choice without applying for a new NA certificate every time they change the purpose. This will benefit many citizens," the Minister told the House.
However, Congress came down heavily on the government for introducing the Bill and claimed the provision of multipurpose NA will be misused by influential people.
This Bill will only benefit those who are into land dealings, and not farmers, said Raghavji Patel, Congress MLA from Jamnagar.
"This bill has been brought for those who are into land grabbing. Instead of helping farmers, as claimed by the government, it will only benefit land sharks," Raghavji Patel said.
The move is aimed at making builders and land developers happy ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections, said Shailesh Parmar, another Congress MLA.
"This Bill is not aimed at helping the common man. I strongly believe it will benefit builders only. This Bill has been brought by the government to make such people happy ahead of the 2017 polls," Parmar said.
Congress chief whip in the Assembly Balwantsinh Rajput said the new provision will benefit those who have acquired land in the past by promising to set up factories and generate employment.
"There is a great possibility that influential people will misuse the provisions of this Bill. Now, they will have the licence to set up a commercial complex on a land which they acquired earlier by making promises of setting up industries," claimed Rajput.
In reply, Health Minister Patel said some people are deliberately trying to portray industrialists in negative light and positioning themselves as well wishers of farmers.
"Doubts raised by Congress MLAs are misplaced. People associated with industries are not aliens or villains as projected by some people. They are also part of our economy and equally important for development of our country.
The Minister claimed the provision is only limited to giving permission to change the end-use of NA plots and not about giving a free hand to owners to do whatever they wish to do on their land.
"Multipurpose NA does not give permission to owners to set up a factory emitting hazardous gases in residential area or to construct a society in the middle of factories. All other laws are in place to control such activities. This provision is not an NOC to do whatever with the land," Patel said.
After this heated debate, the Bill was passed in the Assembly with majority vote.
