Rajkot: Significant delays in the disposal of applications under the Disturbed Areas Act (Ashantdhara), along with technical discrepancies in a new government notification, have created a major obstacle to property transactions in Rajkot city. The Rajkot Bar Association and Revenue Bar Association have expressed strong resentment over the administrative inaction.

According to Vijay Togadia, secretary of the Revenue Bar Association, nearly 150 to 200 applications under the Disturbed Areas Act in Rajkot have remained pending for a prolonged period without any orders. Other estimates suggest the number could be as high as 300 to 400. Despite repeated submissions to provincial offices, the applications have not been cleared, bringing property transactions to a halt, as documents cannot be registered at the sub-registrar’s office without clearance.

Survey numbers missing in new notification

A major concern relates to the January 2026 renewal notification regarding the area under the Disturbed Areas Act. When the law came into effect in 2021, several city and revenue survey numbers were included, but many of these are reportedly missing in the new notification. Rajkot Bar Association secretary Nileshbhai Patel stated that survey numbers of nearly 150 to 200 housing societies have been excluded, creating technical hurdles in document registration.

The administrative impasse is directly affecting the public:

• Home loans: Banks are refusing to disburse loans due to non-registration of property documents, leading to the cancellation of multiple deals.

• NRIs and local buyers: Both overseas and local purchasers are facing legal complications.

• Financial losses: Parties who have already paid transaction amounts are unable to complete documentation within stipulated timelines, causing widespread dissatisfaction.

Representation to Collector; warning of agitation

Bar association representatives have met the District Collector and submitted a memorandum seeking immediate clarification on the excluded survey numbers and communication to all concerned offices. They have demanded disposal of pending applications within 7 to 10 days.

If the issues remain unresolved within the coming week, lawyers have warned of launching a mass agitation and strike. DeshGujarat