The West Bengal government is contemplating making critical
amendments to the Urban Land Ceiling Act which will provide new incentives to
developers
By Chandrabindu;
igovernment
Kolkata, Nov 7th:
With a view towards promoting commercial activities in upcoming residential
colonies, the West Bengal government is contemplating making critical
amendments to the Urban Land Ceiling Act. The proposed amendments will aim to
provide incentives to developers who agree to integrate housing projects with
commercial activities.
Confirming the
plan, Mr. Debashis Sen, Chairman and Managing Director of West Bengal Housing
and Infrastructure Development Corporation, said “We are looking at framing a
policy by which we can facilitate housing-cum-commercial projects.” Mr. Sen
added that that the revised Act could be announced by the end of this
fiscal year.
Other officials
also added that the amendments will not only encourage commercial activities in
metropolitan townships, but also allow the state to earn revenue in terms of
duties and other taxes. As per the proposed policy, which is in draft
stage, developers could be offered some relaxation in stamp fees as well as
allowed the ability to purchase land that was prohibited under the existing
ceiling act.
“However,
construction companies will be required to dedicate 51 percent of their land
for commercial activities, under this act and nearly one-fourth of the houses
to be developed on the remaining 49 percent of land will be allocated to
economically weaker sections under the proposed amendments,” Mr. Sen added.
Under the existing
West Bengal Land Ceiling Act, private ownership of agricultural land in the
State is restricted to 17.5 acres for irrigated land and 24.5 acres for areas
that are rainfed. In urban areas, private ownership is capped at only 0.125
acres.
Officials of the
Urban Development Department said that the proposed policy would also seek to
allow conversion of agricultural land for housing purpose. “Through this
proposed policy we will try to provide some relaxation in the conversion
process as well as easing the approval of building plans,” they maintained.
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