Buildings can be constructed on Patta land; permission to use for industrial, commercial, and quarry purposes; draft statute amendment prepared

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Patta land, which is usually allotted for specific purposes like residential and agricultural purposes, will be allowed to be used for industrial, commercial, quarrying purposes. The rules will be amended for this. The draft law has been prepared by the Land Records Department. This will be allowed only for land where the patta was obtained before June 7, 2024. The permission will be granted on payment of a specified fee.

A copy of the title deed, latest land tax receipt, possession deed from the village office, etc. should be submitted along with the application to the District Collector. The District Collector should inform the applicant within 15 days if the applications are not in order or incomplete. The District Collector has the authority to inspect the site and prepare a report.

Permission will not be given for land in the categories of historical sites, paddy fields, wetlands, ecologically important sites, central forest and ecological zones, etc. If the applications are valid, the fee must be paid within 60 days.

The government has the right to cancel the permission if the land is used for purposes other than those for which permission is granted. Although there is no application fee for houses up to 1500 sq ft and buildings for public purposes, the procedure must be followed.

Other fees proposed:

□House above 1500 sq ft - Rs. 500

□Industrial building up to 1500 sq ft - Rs. 1000

□Industrial building from 1500 sq ft to 2500 sq ft - Rs. 1500

□From 2500 to 5000 sq ft - Rs. 3000

□Over 5000 sq ft - Rs. 5000.

Patta land:

Patta land is land granted under the Land Registration Act for purposes such as agriculture, housing (or both), and livelihood. There was a provision that this land should not be used for any other purpose. However, the government had earlier prepared an amendment to the Act to regularize the constructions carried out here without any conditions and by charging a fee. However, it has not been approved.