BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Thursday gave its assent to fragmentation of consolidated land for sale and housing purpose in view of the increasing demand of land for house construction.
‘Land under consolidated holdings are now coming under the operational jurisdiction of various development authorities and regional improvement trusts. The increasing demand for houses required changes in the Land Consolidation Act,’ said Chief Secretary BK Patnaik while briefing mediapersons on the decisions taken by the State Cabinet.
The Orissa Consolidation of Holdings and Prevention of Fragmentation of Land Act, 1972, provides consolidation of land holdings, commonly known as ‘chaka’ land, and prevention of fragmentation of land for agricultural purpose.
Section 34 of the Act permitted fragmentation of the consolidated land, but no fragment can be transferred except to a landowner of a continuous chaka. If someone wants to transfer a fragment but unable to sell it to the adjacent chaka owner, he is required to apply the local tehsildar who may sell it to the adjacent chaka owner through an auction at a rate not less than the market value.
It the land was not sold, the Government may purchase it at the prevailing market price as determined by the tehsildar.
As per the Section 41 of the Act, agricultural land cannot be used for non-agricultural purpose.
The Cabinet on Thursday approved the proposal of the Revenue Department for amendment of the Orissa Consolidation of Holdings and Prevention of Fragmentation of Land Act, 1972, after 20 years of consolidation or land covered under master plan of the development authority and improvement trust.
This will bring in more revenue through collection of conversion fee, stamp duty and registration fee, the Chief Secretary said.