Law on land fragmentation to be scrapped | Mumbai News
Mumbai: In a move that could help the Mahayuti govt’s prospects in the coming local body polls, the state has decided to scrap a law that prevents the fragmentation of land into tiny plots from being implemented in urban areas in Maharashtra. This will help the sale and transfer of land as small as a guntha. Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule also said that the state will now regularise land divisions of up to one guntha (1,089 sq ft) that were made before the cut-off date of Jan 1, 2025. This will enable citizens to secure property registration, building permits, and property rights.“This will help 50 lakh families in the state. As the state urbanised the anti-fragmentation law was being violated. For instance, in residential areas with the creation of illegal plots and layouts,” said Bawankule. “When it came to registration and transfer of the plot, there were problems,” he added.”Only the land divisions before the cut-off date will be regularised. After that, they will have to comply with urban development rules,” Bawankule clarified. The state will also set up a 4-member committee headed by the revenue secretary to suggest the SOP for regulations on issues like registration, layouts and plots within 15 days. “This will ensure transparency and prevent the entry of dalals,” said Bawankule. The Maharashtra Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Act 1947 was enacted to prevent the division of agricultural land into tiny plots which were uneconomical and would not be viable for cultivation. However, growing urbanisation made this law unviable, officials said. The decision will cover the areas under municipal corporations, municipalities, nagar panchayats, authorities such as MMRDA and PMRDA. Also, gaothans,extendingup to 200-500m. Subject to discussion, the SOP may also include areas up to 2km from municipal limits.Welcoming the decision, Srigonda MLA Vikram Pachpute said, “Often we see the builder consolidating ten plots and buying them. But when the buyers want to sell their plots, there have been problems.”
