The Arvind Kejriwal Government is bringing a proposal for conversion of the agricultural land for carrying out commercial and residential activities in the national Capital.
Also, the Government is in the process of bringing in a proposal on the change of land use with a rider that all construction activities would be allowed by strictly following the development norms prescribed in the Master Plan for Delhi 2021 that include building byelaws.
Top source said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has directed the Secretary (Revenue) to bring in a proposal before the Cabinet for replacement of section 81 (reject for use of land in contravention of the provision of this Act), removal of section 33 (restriction on transfer by a Bhumidar) and abolition of section 85 of the Delhi land Reforms Act 1954.
According to sources, the proposal would clearly spell out the penalty that the violator would be charged for not following the building byelaws. Officials said the land use in Delhi can be changed only after getting due amendments done in the DlR Act. Since the land is under the jurisdiction of the Centre, these amendments can be effected only through Parliament, said sources, adding that the Delhi Government has no control over land, police and public order in Delhi.
According to Section 81 of DlR Act, agricultural land should be used for agricultural purposes only. On the other hand, experts said if section 81 is removed or replaced then Delhi would be converted into a concrete jungle. The section 81 is only way to check misuse of agricultural land in Delhi.
Officials said removal of section 33 of the DlR Act is needed as the section has become outdated and relevant in the present scenario in Delhi. According to section 33, no Bhumidhar shall have the right to transfer by sale or gift or otherwise any land to any person, other than a religious or charitable institution or any person in charge of any such Bhoodan movement, as the Chief Commissioner may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, where as a result of the transfer, the transferor shall be left with less than eight standard acres in the Union Territory of Delhi.
The erstwhile Sheila Dikshit Government had approved a proposal through Cabinet decision regarding applicability of provisions of section 81 of the DlR Act 1954.