Gujarat Enhances District Collectors’ and DDOs’ Powers to Fast-Track Govt Land Allotment

Gandhinagar: In a move aimed at accelerating infrastructure, industrial, rural and public welfare projects across Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved a substantial increase in the financial powers of District Collectors and District Development Officers (DDOs) for the allotment of government land and land grants for various public purposes.

The decision is expected to decentralise the approval process, allowing more land allotment proposals to be cleared at the district level instead of requiring higher-level approvals, thereby reducing delays.

Under the revised powers for District Collectors:

– The financial limit for allotment of government land of up to 2 hectares to State government boards and corporations has been increased from ₹15 lakh to ₹1 crore.

– The financial authority for allotting land of up to 1 hectare to Central government departments for public purposes has been raised from ₹15 lakh to ₹50 lakh.

– The limit for allotment of land for residential purposes (government employees and individuals) has been enhanced from ₹1 lakh to ₹20 lakh.

– The financial authority for allotting land to cooperative housing societies has been increased from ₹6 lakh to ₹50 lakh.

– The limit for allotment of land for commercial purposes through auction has been raised from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh.

– The financial authority for allotting land to cooperative godowns and other institutions has been increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹15 lakh.

The government has also enhanced the financial powers of District Development Officers for the allotment of village plots:

– For individual residential plots, the limit has been increased from ₹20,000 to ₹1 lakh.

– For cooperative housing societies, the authority has been enhanced from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹7.5 lakh.

– For milk societies, cooperative godowns and rural grid projects, the limit has been increased from ₹20,000 to ₹1 lakh.

According to the state government, the enhanced powers will enable land allotment proposals to be disposed of at the district level itself. Since land records and site-related information are readily available locally, the administrative process is expected to become faster and more efficient.

The decision is also expected to expedite the allocation of government land for public infrastructure, industrial and social development projects, giving a boost to development activities and employment generation. It will also ensure quicker deposit of land acquisition prices and premium amounts into the government treasury.

The government said that empowering Collectors and DDOs to take decisions locally will make it easier for applicant departments and institutions to pursue their proposals at the district level.

In another significant change, if the acquisition price or premium is not paid within 90 days of the Collector issuing an allotment intimation to State government boards, corporations or Central government departments, the Collector will now have the authority to extend the payment period up to the tenure of the three-year District Land Valuation Committee. The government said this will reduce procedural delays and eliminate repetitive approvals. DeshGujarat