MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government is set to give legal recognition to subdivided land parcels until January 1, 2025, by easing and eventually eliminating the existing land fragmentation law, according to Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who spoke to the legislative assembly on Wednesday.
Bawankule mentioned that more than 50 lakh families face challenges due to land fragmentation rules. He stated that plots measuring up to one guntha (approximately 1,089 sq ft) created before January 2025 will be legalized, allowing citizens to secure official property rights.
However, any plots subdivided after January will need to comply with development authority regulations strictly.
The minister described this “revolutionary step” as a means of addressing legal complications concerning property registration, construction approvals, and ownership related to violations of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act and the land fragmentation law.
The Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Act seeks to prevent the division of agricultural land into unviable small plots and aims to consolidate existing fragmented holdings for enhanced agricultural productivity.
This law limits the transfer and partition of fragmented lands and promotes the consolidation of landholdings to boost agricultural efficiency.
“A comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be developed and revealed within 15 days to ease and gradually abolish the law, providing clarity on layout approvals, road access, land registrations, and building permissions,” the minister noted in response to an inquiry from MLA Amol Khatal.
A four-member committee consisting of Additional Chief Secretaries from the Revenue and Urban Development departments, along with the Settlement Commissioner and the Inspector General of Registration, will be established to draft the SOP after assessing local conditions across the state.
The SOP will be implemented transparently to deter any misuse or intervention by intermediaries.
The decision will extend to municipal corporations, councils, nagar panchayats, authority-administered areas, and villages within 200 to 500 meters of urban boundaries, potentially up to 2 km from major municipal corporation limits.
Bawankule reiterated that over 50 lakh families are impacted by land fragmentation regulations. He stressed that plots measuring up to one guntha (about 1,089 sq ft) created before January 2025 will be recognized as legal, empowering citizens to attain official property rights.
Legislators from all parties welcomed this decision and encouraged the inclusion of rural areas adjacent to urban centers and settlements along national and state highways.
Bawankule responded positively, inviting suggestions to be submitted to the Revenue Department within a week for consideration in the SOP.
“This decision is not intended to promote illegal development, but to facilitate planned growth and justice for the common people,” Bawankule stated.
