Latest StoriesRegulatory

Revenue Minister Orders FIR in ₹87-Crore Borivali Land Dispute

MUMBAI: Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule held a review meeting at Mantralaya this week, directing swift action regarding the Rs 87 crore land compensation issue in Borivali. In light of serious allegations, the minister told the Mumbai Suburban collector to file an FIR against the builder who reportedly received compensation unlawfully, as well as former government officials believed to have facilitated the questionable payout. Officials were ordered to finalize the FIR by 6 pm on Thursday. The meeting concerns a long-standing conflict over CTS Nos 456, 458, and 458 (1 to 10) in Borivali, where the Devrukhkar family has raised claims…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

SIT to Investigate MHADA Quota Irregularities in Nashik

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Monday that a special investigation team (SIT) will be formed to investigate alleged irregularities in the implementation of the MHADA quota in Nashik, warning that those who deny the less fortunate their rightful homes will face consequences. This decision follows reports of misconduct concerning the allocation of the 20% MHADA quota designated for economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income groups (LIG) in Nashik. Under the direction of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the SIT will be overseen by the Nashik divisional commissioner and will include senior state officials. Bawankule stated, “Those who obstruct the…

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SIT to Probe EWS Quota Violation in Nashik: Maharashtra Minister

Nashik: Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Saturday that the state government will soon establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of one IPS and two IAS officers to investigate allegations against 197 developers in Nashik. These developers reportedly evaded the mandatory 20% reservation for economically weaker sections by unlawfully splitting large landholdings into smaller plots. Bawankule revealed that numerous builders, developers, and government officials are suspected of colluding to illegally divide large land parcels to keep the total development area below 4,000 sqm, thereby circumventing the EWS reservation requirement. “Upon reviewing the case’s gravity, it seems evident that there…

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Maharashtra Maintains Reckoner Rates for FY27

File Photo NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra government has decided to keep the ready reckoner (RR) rates unchanged for the financial year 2026-27. The Inspector General of Registration and Controller of Stamps announced that the rates, effective from April 1, 2026, will remain at FY26 levels. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule explained that this decision aims to alleviate any additional financial burden on citizens during property transactions. Sukhraj Nahar, President of CREDAI-MCHI, stated, “By not increasing RR rates, the government has ensured vital stability in the real estate sector, preserving project viability and avoiding hikes in statutory premiums and related costs linked…

Latest StoriesResidential

Free Regularization of 500 sq ft Encroachments in Maharashtra

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has announced a significant policy change allowing for the free regularization of residential encroachments up to 500 square feet that existed as of January 1, 2011, applicable statewide, but excluding Mumbai and its suburbs, according to a minister’s statement on Friday. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule clarified that encroachments on riverbeds, drains, grazing land, public roads, forests, cremation grounds, playgrounds, and designated school or hospital lands will not be regularized under any circumstances. “Such encroachments will be removed, and families affected will be considered for alternative housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY),” he added. The…

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Maharashtra Decentralises Land Regularisation to Collectors

NAGPUR: On Wednesday, the Maharashtra legislature unanimously approved the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2026. This new legislation empowers district-level authorities to regularize most cases of land-use breaches. Introduced by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, this amendment transitions from a centralized approach to a decentralized one, allowing collectors and divisional commissioners to manage nearly 90% of these cases at the local level. The change is anticipated to alleviate backlog, reduce bureaucratic hold-ups, and improve citizen access to administrative solutions. “Previously, even minor breaches were sent to the Mantralaya, overloading the secretariat and obligating citizens to make numerous trips to…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Maharashtra Forms SIT to Investigate Land Issues in Sambhajinagar

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: The state government has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough and unbiased inquiry into various significant land-related complaints in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Led by the divisional commissioner of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the SIT will scrutinize major land transactions that are surrounded by serious allegations. During the recent state budget session, concerns regarding alleged land misappropriation in gut number 30 at Brijwadi, near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, were raised. In response, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule assured that an SIT would be formed to investigate various land complaints in the district. An official release on Wednesday stated, “The…

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Maharashtra Abolishes NA Tax to Boost Redevelopment of Housing Societies

PUNE | MUMBAI: State revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Wednesday that the non-agricultural (NA) tax has been permanently eliminated, following directives from CM Devendra Fadnavis. This reform comes approximately a year and a half after its initial proposal and is poised to facilitate the redevelopment and regularization of aging housing societies in major urban areas like Pune, Mumbai, and Thane. The notification, issued late Tuesday, revises the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code to abolish the annual NA tax and the necessity for a separate non-agricultural land-use permit from the district collector. “This applies as long as the proposed land use…

Latest StoriesResidential

16,000 Chandrapur Families to Receive Permanent Land Titles

File Photo CHANDRAPUR: On Wednesday, Maharashtra’s revenue minister, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, announced the initiation of the process to grant permanent land ownership rights to approximately 16,000 families residing in Chandrapur’s slum areas. He described this move as a significant step towards fostering inclusive urban development. Speaking at election rallies in the region, Bawankule highlighted that MLA Kishor Jorgewar had vigorously advocated for the regularization of land rights for Nazul landholders in the assembly, expressing his satisfaction that the government was finally honoring that commitment. Permanent land titles will be issued to households across 55 slum localities in Chandrapur. The minister urged…

Latest StoriesResidential

One Year Later: No GR on NA Tax Abolition; Housing Societies Seek Clarity

PUNE: Over a year after the state cabinet’s decision to eliminate the non-agricultural (NA) tax in urban regions, cooperative housing societies in Maharashtra still lack clarity due to the absence of an official government resolution (GR). The Maharashtra State Housing Federation has reached out to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, requesting a GR to clarify the situation and organize awareness initiatives for consistent implementation across the board. Without a formal notification, housing societies—particularly those outside gaothan areas—remain uncertain if they are still required to pay the tax, as indicated in their letter. In October 2024, the…