The Maharashtra Cabinet on Wednesday decided to further simplify the process of developing land in municipal areas having their own plans.

In such areas, permission of the District Collector will no longer be required for changing the land use from agriculture to non-agriculture purposes. A press release issued by the Chief Minister’s office said that land holders who are keen to convert their agriculture lands to non-agriculture only have to inform the Municipal and Revenue authorities by a written application.

Beneficiaries

The Revenue Department authorities would be required to measure the land within 30 days of receiving the application and levy land taxes according to the land use, the release said.

Reduce corruption

The decision will help landholders who have their agriculture lands at the edge of large cities and towns which are getting rapidly urbanised.

A senior official of Maharashtra Department told Business Line that the decisions would reduce corruption in land dealings by putting the onus on the Revenue Department.

The officials of the Department would be forced to survey the land within a specific period and register the change in their records.

However, such lands will also be used for real estate development, the official said.

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