Big relief to land title holders; Land Registration Amendment Act to become law soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The draft of the Land Registration Amendment Act, which will bring relief to hundreds of land title holders in various districts, including Idukki and Wayanad, was given final approval by the Law Department. It will be notified within two weeks. Once this becomes law, other constructions carried out on land, given under the land title for agriculture and housing, will be approved. Office buildings constructed here, including those of political parties, will also be legal. Quarries and tourism projects will get the benefits. The fee has also been determined based on the fair value of the land.

Constructions made for other purposes before June 6, 2024, will be regularised. Residential buildings have been exempted from the regularisation fee. Flats and apartments will also get this exemption. However, in the case of commercial and industrial buildings, only up to 1500 square feet will be exempted from the fee. For buildings surpassing that area, the fee will be charged in proportion to the area.

There is no fee for construction for agricultural purposes, places of worship, and hospitals. The fee for educational institutions, buildings of cultural and charitable institutions, buildings of recognised political parties, social organisations, and recognised cooperative societies is one per cent of the fair value of the land. The final form was finalised by including the amendments suggested by the high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.

Complaints and legal issues arose when quarries and resorts were built on the leased land.

The High Court ruling: 'Under the Land Registration Act, land granted under a lease cannot be used for other purposes.'

It is against this backdrop that the government decided to amend the law.