Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government today announced its decision to grant permanent ownership rights at concessional rates to Maldhari families residing in Rabari settlements within the limits of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. With this move, approximately 1,100 Maldhari families in Ahmedabad will receive ownership rights to their homes.

Addressing a press conference in Gandhinagar, Minister of State Jagdish Vishwakarma stated that, with the intention of providing housing and cattle-rearing arrangements for the Rabari community in Ahmedabad city, the state government had acquired land in 1960–61 and handed it over to the AMC.

The Corporation subsequently allotted plots and built houses in four Rabari settlements—Odhav, Amraiwadi, Jashodanagar (Old), and Jashodanagar (New). A total of 137 plots were allotted in Jashodanagar (Old), 440 in Jashodanagar (New), 310 in Odhav, and 212 in Amraiwadi. The estimated total area of these colonies is 6,57,363 square metres.

Minister Vishwakarma noted that over 50 years have passed since these plots were allotted, and during this time, the Maldhari community has repeatedly petitioned the government for ownership rights. The state government has now approved this long-pending request.

To ensure that the old tenants or current occupants of all these colonies receive permanent ownership rights over the land allotted to them, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and the state government have decided to sell the land at a concessional price instead of the market price. Now, the occupant families will be able to obtain permanent ownership of the land by paying an amount equal to 15 percent of the prevailing Jantri within 6 months for the previously allotted plots, he added.

He further stated that the legal heirs of the original allottees will be required to pay ₹1,000 to the AMC as a transfer fee. In cases where the land is occupied by individuals other than the original allottees or their direct heirs, a transfer fee of ₹20,000 must be paid with supporting documentation. No additional transfer fee will be charged for multiple transfers.

Additionally, to secure permanent ownership, residents must clear any outstanding rent, dues, and local taxes owed to the AMC. After making these payments, they will also need to pay the applicable stamp duty and complete the necessary documentation within the stipulated time.

Occupants may also regularize any unauthorized construction on their allotted plots by applying under the Gujarat Regularization of Unauthorized Development Act (GRUDA), submitting the required documents, and paying the prescribed fees.

The land cannot be used for purposes other than residential or sold/transferred for a period of ten years from the date of full payment. After this period, if the owner wishes to use the land for a different purpose, prior approval must be obtained and the full Jantri value paid—after which the amount paid earlier will be adjusted or refunded.

The Minister further stated that to gain ownership rights, occupants must vacate all common plots, internal roads, roads under the Town Planning scheme, and reserved plots as per the original layout plan. DeshGujarat