In a move to accelerate infrastructure, industrial, rural and public welfare projects, the Gujarat government has enhanced the financial powers of District Collectors and District Development Officers (DDOs) for the allotment of government land. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel approved the revised limits to enable faster decision-making at the district level and reduce delays caused by multiple approvals.
The move is expected to decentralise the land allotment process, allowing more proposals to be cleared locally instead of being referred to higher authorities.
Revised powers for District Collectors
Under the new rules:
- The financial limit for allotting up to 2 hectares of government land to state government boards and corporations has been raised from ₹15 lakh to ₹1 crore.
- The limit for allotting up to 1 hectare of land to Central government departments for public purposes has increased from ₹15 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
- The financial limit for residential land allotment for government employees and individuals has been increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹20 lakh.
- The authority for allotting land to cooperative housing societies has been enhanced from ₹6 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
- The limit for allotting commercial land through auction has been raised from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
- The financial authority for allotting land to cooperative godowns and other institutions has increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹15 lakh.
Higher limits for District Development Officers
The government has also expanded the powers of DDOs for village plot allotments:
- The limit for individual residential plots has been increased from ₹20,000 to ₹1 lakh.
- The authority for cooperative housing societies has been raised from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹7.5 lakh.
- The limit for allotments to milk societies, cooperative godowns and rural grid projects has been enhanced from ₹20,000 to ₹1 lakh.
According to the state government, the revised powers will allow most land allotment proposals to be approved at the district level, where land records and site-related information are readily available. This is expected to make the process faster, reduce administrative delays and improve efficiency.
The government said the decision will help speed up the allotment of land for public infrastructure, industrial, rural and social development projects, while also promoting investment and employment. It is also expected to ensure quicker deposit of land acquisition costs and premium amounts into the government treasury.
In another key reform, District Collectors have been authorised to extend the payment period if state government boards, corporations or Central government departments fail to pay the land acquisition price or premium within 90 days of receiving an allotment intimation. The extension can now be granted up to the tenure of the three-year District Land Valuation Committee, reducing procedural delays and avoiding repeated approvals.