New land pooling scheme to benefit poorer sections

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

The new land pooling area development scheme, which is based on the Gujarat model, will also have a provision benefitting economically weaker section, according to Town and Country Planning department sources.

The scheme, which is being given finishing touches, will have a provision to make available small size plots to benefit poor people.

Sources said the prevailing practice as per the Development Control Regulations is to reserve 10 per cent of the area in a layout proposal for economically weaker section if the area is more than one hectare and the same will be followed here.

The government is also planning stringent norms and smaller built up area so that it won’t attract the rich. It is believed the minimum plot extent for the poor proposed in the scheme is 32 square metre and a maximum of 60 square metre. The built up area is also limited to ground plus first floor not exceeding a height of seven metre.

The scheme, which was suggested under the Justice Mohan Committee report, is being introduced to make the land owners a stakeholder in development projects as the state government is facing huge problems to acquire land. As per the scheme, the land owners will submit their land to planning authorities who will prepare a detailed development plan for the land. Once the area is developed with roads and other infrastructure, the pooled land will go in for bidding to get in investment for the development. After the development, the land will be given depending on proportionate of their pooling of the extent of land to the landowners.

Sources said that under the scheme, the sale proceeds of EWS plots would be apportioned between the participating landowners.

It is believed under the present proposal 45 per cent of land will be returned to landowners. The scheme also has provision for compensation to the landowners, which will take into account the difference in the value of original plot and value of final plot.