Cm Vilasrao Deshmukh has demanded further debate on the repealing of Urban Land Ceiling Regulation Act, as the debate on the issue had remained inconclusive.
Now says legislature will decide the Act’s fate after yet another debate
MUMBAI: Chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has demanded further debate on the repealing of Urban Land Ceiling Regulation Act (ULCRA), as the debate on the issue had remained inconclusive during last two sessions.
The chief minister however did not commit whether the act would be repealed for sure or not.
“It is true that the discussion on the issue has remained inconclusive during last two session, but the business advisory committee has decided to take it up again on November 21,” said Deshmukh while addressing the media at his official residence Ramgiri on Sunday.
Deshmukh further added that bills were always placed before both Houses of the legislature with the intention of passing them, but it would be breach of privilege if he announced that the same would certainly be passed.
It may be noted that Deshmukh had earlier, during various press meets, clearly said the Act would certainly be repealed during the winter session of the legislature that begins today.
Repealing of ULCRA is one issue everybody in and outside of the government is watching. Also, because the government had earlier assured the Union government that the Act would be repealed and then had sought an 18-month extension till March 2008 for the same.
Since the current winter session is the last session before the expiry of the extension granted to the state government, it is important for the government to repeal the Act to procure the release of the second instalment of central financial aid for the
implementation of the Jawaharlal Nehru national Urban Renewal Mission projects in Mumbai.
Shiv Sena and few socialist parties and organisations had been consistent in opposing the scrapping of the ULCRA. According to Sena, the Act is one of the strongest instruments in the hands of the state to create housing stock for the poor, lower middle class and middle-class people.
When asked about this opposition, Deshmukh said, “It is true that there was no unanimity over the issue and government was trying to build the same through discussion in both Houses.” About the surplus land that state has failed to claim, Deshmukh said,
“Of course, it cannot be implemented with retrospective effect and therefore whatever quantum of land that government has succeeded in claiming and will be claiming till the scrapping of the Act will be used in accordance with the existing law.”
It may be noted that Deshmukh has been holding a series of review meetings to take stock of the surplus and unclaimed lands across the state that can be taken into possession under ULCRA, thereby reclaiming huge tracts of land and revenue in the process.
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