More than 100 claims and objections have been received regarding Bhopal's proposed Collector Guideline rates, with submissions continuing until the deadline on Wednesday evening.

A meeting of the evaluation committee on March 13 proposed an 18% average increase in guideline rates across 1,283 locations in Bhopal.

The new rates and objections will now be sent to the state government for ratification. The new property guideline rates are scheduled to come into effect from April 1.

Public representatives, including MP Alok Sharma, have expressed concerns over the rate increase. Sharma has indicated plans for discussions with fellow representatives.

The local chapter of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) has filed over 80 objections, and many common citizens have also submitted their claims.

Uncertainty remains over extending the deadline for claims and objections. While there is no official word, sources suggest that the deadline may be extended to March 23, allowing the administration time to build a consensus on the issue.

Several ministers and MLAs have also voiced support for those opposing the new rates, saying the increase in circle rates at this juncture would adversely impact the city's economy.

Opposition groups demand an immediate halt to the rate hike, a rollback to 2019-20 levels, and the removal of provisions affecting agricultural land. They also seek a three-year moratorium on further increases and the constitution of an independent expert committee for a more transparent and equitable evaluation in the future.

Guideline rates, also known as circle rates, are land value benchmarks used by the government to tax real estate transactions.

While some argue that increasing these rates helps curtail the involvement of unaccounted money in the sector, others oppose the move, citing rising costs that ultimately affect real estate businesses and prospective homebuyers.