Continuing with the revenue reforms, the state government now plans to abolish the cumbersome Non Agriculture (NA) certification process.
Continuing with the revenue reforms, the state government now plans to abolish the cumbersome Non Agriculture (NA) certification process besides replacing the 130-year-old Bombay Land Revenue Code by Gujarat Land Administrative Bill 2009.
The state government had simplified the NA procedure in July 2008 and fixed the time limit for clearance to 30 to 45 days but this limit is not being followed by district and taluka level officials, affecting the industrial and commercial projects for which the government had singed MoUs (Memorandums of Understanding) at various Vibrant Gujarat Global Investment Summits.
According to sources, during a meeting of secretaries to discuss repealing of the 130-year-old Bombay Land Revenue Code and enacting new Gujarat Land Administrative Bill 2009, chief secretary D Rajagopalan floated the idea of abolishing the existing NA system to help speed up the land clearance process for industrial and commercial projects. The proposal was supported by the secretaries and it was decided to send it for the clearance of chief minister and the cabinet.
"Once cleared by the cabinet, it may be taken up during the budget session of the assembly in July when the proposed Gujarat Land Administrative Bill 2009 is likely to be presented. However, the government will have to work out an alternative system to serve the purpose of NA certification, which is aimed at controlling an abrupt use of agriculture land for non-agriculture purpose. Income from premium on NA is also a cause of concern for the government. Government will have to find some alternative to continue this source of income," sources said.
Sources further said that the new bill had 57 sections lesser than the existing Bombay Land Revenue Code. The new act would correspondingly change the state government’s land policies related to different departments and land allocation for different purposes.
Realtors have welcomed the move to annul the cumbersome NA procedure and said it would have positive impact. According to them, there are many files related to NA that are still pending with the state even after the state took steps to expedite the clearance procedure.
A city-based developer on the condition of anonymity said, “The developer community are happy with the new proposal. However, the government needs to clear the NA procedure faster so that developers can proceed with their projects.”
Commenting on the issue, president of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI), Rupesh Shah said, “If the government goes ahead with the plan, it would be a big relief for the industry. NA is an unnecessary clause and has nothing more than a nonsense. Trade and industry have to wait for a longer period to establish new industries, especially in rural areas.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}