Soon, own the land Cidco leased

CBD BELAPUR: MP Sanjeev Naik’s demand that Cidco should convert its residential leasehold plots to freehold status, so that residents can own their properties and redevelop them on their own will get a substantial push today.

Nationalist Congress Party spokesperson in Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Vinit Palkar will introduce a proposal at its general body meeting on Friday asking for the conversion.

Cidco continues to hold the lease of the land on which flats have been sold to residents, who have to shell out a hefty premium for redevelopment, even as they continue to pay lease rent.

Sanjeev Naik and MLA Sandeep Naik have been making efforts for the cancellation of Cidco’s lease for some time now. Said Sanjeev Naik, “In a bid to provide ownership right to residents, the Maharashtra government has launched a cam- paign for conveyance deeds in housing projects. Cidco has already proposed to covert its leasehold land to freehold in Aurangabad. Hence, it should also do away with its leasehold in Navi Mumbai.”

After the NMMC came into existence in 1994, the land that falls under the jurisdiction of Cidco was to be transferred to the civic body for maintenance of public amenities. “But several plots are yet to be transferred, and hence I am requesting Cidco to speed up the matter,” said Naik.

When contacted, Mayor Sagar Naik confirmed, “We will be bringing a private-member resolution in the house to demand that the leasehold be converted into freehold. Once passed, the resolution will be sent to the state government for approval.”

Added Naik, “Such a step will provide huge relief to the residents who, despite spending lakhs of rupees for their flats, do not own the land they reside on.”