Disturbed Areas Act imposed in Surat, Vadodara

The state revenue department issued a notification on Saturday imposing the Disturbed Areas Act in several parts of Surat and Vadodara cities. The notification makes it compulsory to take prior consent of district collector or concerned authorities before selling or transferring immovable properties in urban areas.

As per Article-3 of the Gujarat Prohibition of Transfer of Immovable Properties and Provision for Protection of Tenants from Eviction from Premise in Disturbed Area Act-1991, collector notifies areas of cities as disturbed areas. Possessors of house or residential plots cannot be transferred in the name of any person of other religions without permission from the collector.

The revenue department also released a press note stating they had received representations from various people, organisations and groups demanding strict implementation of act.

Sources in government said, "BJP MLAs from these cities had made representations on different levels up to the CM, complaining that Muslims were shifting to Hindu-dominated areas. This could create a problem during polls as it may affect their chances of winning. The government has made the decision accordingly."