Govt tenants want premium lowered

AS PER THE NEW CLAUSE, THE TENANTS WILL HAVE TO PAY 25% OF THE AREA’S CURRENT READYRECKONER RATE

MUMBAI: A retrospective clause in the state government’s land policy for transfer of occupancy and leasehold lands into class-2 ownership lands (freehold) is facing backlash from tenants of co-operative housing societies on stateowned plots. As per the new clause, the tenants will have to pay 25% of the area’s current ready-reckoner rate as a one-time premium to get ownership.

However, the tenants are unable to pay the premium, which is in crores. Mohini Thackeray, a member of federation of grantees of government lands, said, “There are around 40 lakh people in housing societies across the state which are affected by the state’s land policy. We are all middle-class and most of us are senior citizens living on minimal pension. It is impossible for us to pay such hefty premiums for the land that we have developed.”

In all, there are over 1 lakh class-2 landholders including societies, individuals, and trusts across the state.

“We have paid for the land as well as the development of infrastructures like roads, water pipeline, and other basic facilities. Why should we pay a hefty premium again to get ownership of the land? The government should bring down the premium to 5% of the current ready-reckoner rate so that everyone can afford it,” said Salil Rameshchandra, president of the federation.

Despite repeated attempts, state revenue secretary Manu Kumar Srivastava was not available for a comment. The tenants have said that they will figure out whom to vote for in the elections based on the changes in the land policy. “The government will see our results in the next elections,” said Rameshchandra.