The state government has issued a press note to explain the basic fundamentals of the renewal of land leases policy in a reply to the legal notice slapped by the former central information commissioner Shailesh Gandhi.
The note states: “The new policy gives an option to the lessee either to opt for payment of annual lease rent or to pay occupancy price at the rate of 20 per cent of the ready-reckoner for residential purpose, 25 per cent for industrial purpose and 30 per cent for commercial purpose.”
The press note issued by S.S. Kshatriya, additional chief secretary (revenue), stated that by opting for one time payment of the occupancy charge, the lessee can become ‘occupant class-II’. He further added that, since there seemed to be a confusion regarding the meaning of occupant class-II status, it should not be confused or equated with free hold ownership.
The note also stated, “Even when the lessee becomes occupant class-II, the ownership of the land shall continue to be with the state government and the land cannot be transferred or sold, or the stipulated use cannot be changed without prior permission from the state.”
However, Mr Gandhi has rubbished the government’s explanation saying that it is mum on the loss of revenue and the Supreme Court verdict. He asked, “Why have the officials not refuted or denied my estimates on the loss of revenue to the state?”