
90 pc of India?s land titles are disputed
Construction activities in most Indian cities normally require 25 to 40 multiple-authority clearances, each boasting a 'single window' system. Procedural delays, obsolete laws and opaque regulations lead to corruption, cost escalations and illegal construction.
In April 2005 the Bombay High Court, quoting a 1999 Supreme Court ruling, held that an "unauthorised construction, if it is illegal and cannot be compounded, has to be demolished." Since then, lower courts have refused to provide relief to violators. However, the Maharashtra Government's ordinance to save the illegal buildings of Ulhasnagar has encouraged illegal townships elsewhere in the country to push for a similar solution.
Existing municipal laws provide inadequate empowerment to local bodies, despite the path breaking 74th Amendment aimed at decentralising power and strengthening local democracy in urban areas. Ad hoc state-level amendments, unclear power sharing mandates and archaic legislations have undermined its implementation.
Deepening the crisis, improper land use changes from agricultural to residential and commercial purposes has resulted in proliferation of illegal and semi-legal habitations and speculative activity.
The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act (ULCRA) and its patchy implementation have skewed the urban land market. Failing in its objectives, ULCRA has locked vast urban tracts, inflated prices, exacerbated housing shortages and triggered litigations. Its repeal has the potential to facilitate release of 2.2 lakh hectares of frozen urban land.
A 2001 Mc Kinsey report says that removing land market barriers can contribute an additional 1 per cent to India's GDP growth rate. The report estimates that 90% of India's land titles are disputed.
Lal Dora, the line separating urban and rural land in Delhi, was last extended in 1983 creating 'urban villages' under MCD jurisdiction. This has created contradictions in law enforcement and led to exploitation by property developers.
Limits are placed on built-up floor space through by-laws. Uniformly applied by-laws fail to account for the needs of different sections of an urban area. City master plans that envisage generous expansion of the periphery often provide inadequately for land within existing settlement boundaries.
To prevent future confusion and misuse, sweeping legal and regulatory changes are required. Procedures should be made simple, swift and transparent to better manage our urban areas.

Antigua revokes citizenship of Mehul Choksi

New rules make way for self-regulation: I&B ministry secretary

Chhattisgarh man trampled to death while trying to take selfie with an elephant
- The kin of the deceased have been given an instant relief amount of ₹25,000 and the body has been sent for post-mortem.

Tamil Nadu extends Covid-19 lockdown till March 31

Feb spike of Covid-19 in several states: What we know about mutants, variants

Stress key reason for teachers to quit job before, during pandemic: Study

How to register on Co-Win: Ministry releases step-by-step guideline

'Congress must unite to defeat ‘divisive’ forces': Farooq Abdullah
- “I want the Congress party to be strong. I want the Congress to unite and fight the divisive forces," he said.

Health Minister lauds contributions of medical professionals in pandemic

Over 60% voter turnout recorded in Gujarat local body polls

Delhi sees 2nd highest mean maximum temperature for Feb since 1901

Appreciating BJP's work ethics, Rashid Alvi says Congress must work 24/7

News updates from HT: Dry run at 4 govt-run hospitals in Pune tomorrow

Congress faces uphill battle in poll-bound states
