NEW DELHI: In yet another setback to Delhi’s Arvind Kejriwal Government, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday directed the Revenue Department that the new circle rates for agricultural land, notified by the state government, wouldn’t be applicable till he took a decision in the matter. In a communiqué to the department, Jung said no further action should be taken in pursuance of the notification on circle rates.
After notifying new circle rates for agricultural land on August 4, the state government had claimed that there was no need to obtain the Lieutenant Governor’s approval in the matter that solely “fell within our Constitutional domain”.
The communiqué further said that the Lieutenant Governor’s Office was consulting legal and Constitutional experts on the legality of the notification. “It is to bring to your notice that the entire matter is currently under examination of the legal and Constitutional aspects and a view will soon be taken by the Lieutenant Governor,” it said.
“Till such time a final decision is conveyed, it may please be ensured that no further action is taken in pursuance of the notification dated August 4. Should any action be taken in the interim, it could lead to legal complications for the government as well as the prospective sellers/buyers of land. It is therefore, the responsibility of the administrative department to ensure full compliance of the direction,” the communiqué said.
Following Jung’s directions, the Revenue Department has directed all the 33 the sub-registrar offices not to entertain any matter pertaining to the new circle rates for agricultural land. At present, the circle rate for agricultural land is Rs 53 lakh per acre. As per August 4 notification, the circle rates will be between Rs 1 cr and Rs 1.50 cr in different districts.