Delhi Development Authority’s much talked land pooling scheme has become a non-starter, owing to certain queries and the rules that exist in determining exemption of stamp duty and transfer of 50 per cent of retained land to Delhi Government. DDA has been demanded exemption in stamp duty but the revenue department contention is that government can grant exemption in stamp duty when the land in question is acquired by the government for public purpose.
In a meeting held at a Raj Niwas, presided by lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, 11 points were discussed but no consensus was reached. The 11 points are still hanging fire. The DDA has yet to implement its land pooling policy despite it is being notified last year. Top officials said that DDA wants exemption in stamp duty while the Revenue Department contention is that the government may exempt the stamp duty on the land acquired by the government for public purposes and the DDA policy does not come in this category.
Officials say that land policy needs detailed examination as there are several issues which require examination that include development of gaon sabha land, drainage plan, transfer of 50 per cent of retained land to the Government, transfer of 50 percent dwelling unit for economically weaker section and increase in the floor area ration of the residential area. Besides, the authority would have to ensure that no unauthorized colonies included in land pooling policy.
The land pooling policy approved notified by the Ministry of Urban Development is the part of Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2021, will pave way for easier acquisition of land for housing projects. Through its exclusive land pooling policy, the DDA aims at involving private parties in planning and developing land pockets into residential and commercial components.
It is noted that a parliamentary panel has asked DDA to finalise its land pooling policy and involve the private sector and cooperative group housing societies in meeting the housing needs in Delhi. The standing committee on urban development, in report in Parliament, said the agency should set year wise targets for the construction of affordable houses. The panel said it has estimated an additional housing stock requirement of about 24 lakh dwelling units.
DDA recently earmarked about 200 villages, mostly in Outer Delhi, for land pooling. The proposal includes conversion of 95 villages into ‘development areas’ and 89 into ‘urban villages’. All the villages combined, along with some more that are expected to be clubbed in, are expected to release 29,000 hectares or just over 70,000 acres of real estate in the capital. The move is expected to please all including the developers who will offer their land to DDA to be pooled, DDA that will develop the land in a planned manner and earn some revenue for itself, those developers who wouldn’t have to fear retrospective litigations by the original land-owners and investors in these projects.