Maharashtra: change in law opens unlimited land for state developers

As per the earlier provisions of the land ceiling act, a single buyer was not allowed to buy more than 54 acre of land. The Maharashtra government passed an amendment in the Maharashtra

Agriculture Lands (ceiling on holding ) Act 1961, on Tuesday. As per this decision, there will be no restriction on holding more than 54 acre of land. The amendment enables developers to buy

unlimited acres of land for development of integrated townships and construction of affordable houses in Maharashtra. As per the earlier provisions of the land ceiling act, a single buyer

was not allowed to buy more than 54 acre of land. "By amending Maharashtra Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, section 47A of Hyderabad Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, the

restriction imposed under the said tenancy laws upon the sale of agriculture lands for bonafide industrial use or integrated township projects has been removed," states the Act that

passes in the Maharashtra state Assembly on Tuesday. However, the opposition thinks that the amendment is unwarranted and will benefit developers. The opposition also belives it to be

against the interests of farmers. "Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi brought about a restriction on buying land to enable more land for the farmers. This amendment will enable the

developers to buy more land at throwaway prices and hoard it for an uncertain period," alleged Congress MLA Jaykumar Gore. Gore added that the government was against the interests of

the farmers. Niranjan Hiranandani, chairman and MD at the Hiranandani Group has welcomed the decision calling it a positive move. Pankaj Kapoor, MD at Liases Foras, real estate research firm

thought that the government has taken the right decision provided the use of the land is proper. "There should be productive use of land. Otherwise, this move will help the developers

to accumulate large tracks of land. If the developers don't use land properly then, action should be initiated against the offenders," Kapoor further added. SNEAK PEEK * The

amendment enables state-based developers to buy unlimited acres of land for development of integrated townships and construction of affordable houses within Maharashtra * As per the earlier

provisions of the land ceiling Act, a single buyer was not allowed to buy more than 54 acre of land * However, the opposition thinks that the amendment is unwarranted and will only benefit

developers. They also thinks that such a change goes against the interests of farmers * Experts say that the government has taken the rigfht decision provided developers make proper use of

land