State government approves lease renewal policy

Mumbai: In order to facilitate leaseholders, the Maharashtra government has approved a renewal policy for plots given on lease on Tuesday.

At present, there is no lease policy in the state. However, a lease policy for Mumbai, Matheran, Mahabaleshwar and Raigad has been in place since 2012. Officials said that close to 800 leases have expired and no policy for their renewal currently exists.

According to the renewal policy, lease charges against renewal will be 2 per cent of 25 per cent of the ready reckoner (RR) rate on plots measuring more than 500 sq ft and one per cent of 25 per cent of the RR rate up to 500 sq ft on individual residences. While lease charges against renewal will be one per cent of 25 of the RR rate on cooperative housing societies and 0.5 per cent of 25 per cent of the RR rate on charitable trusts for social, cultural, religious and orphanage centres excluding education and health.

The official said that there were land parcels, which were owned by the government. However, their lease had expired. There was no policy for the renewal of lease, which created a problem for the government. Therefore, this lease policy has been brought.  According to the policy, the renewal of lease would be done for 30 years end every five years, the charges would increase as per the RR rate.

He also said, “Those who want their lease to be renewed on concession or nominal rate will have to make an application before the government and not at the collector’s office.”