Regularisation of paddy field reclamation drags on despite introducing law 14 years back

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the government's law to accept the reclamation of paddy fields converted as plots for up to 14 years, around 1.5 lakh applications are pending in RDO and village offices. If the current slowdown continues, it will take another 15 years to complete the process.

The government is to receive Rs 1500 crore as transfer fee from applicants. It is argued that the delay in the process is due to the lack of adequate staff.

There are seven RDO offices which have received up to 5,000 applications. More than a thousand in the other 20 RDO offices. Buildings constructed on the property are valid only after the property fee has been paid and the type has been converted. There is no fee to change the type up to 25 cents. A fixed percentage of the fair price must be paid for plots bigger than that. The rates vary from panchayat, municipality and corporation.

90,388: Applications at RDO offices

50000 applications at Village and Agriculture Offices

2008: Legislation was introduced to protect fields and wetlands. A data bank was set up to identify the lands.

2017: Amendment law brought. Provision for reclamation of land acquired before 2008 at 25% fair value.

Included in the 2008 Data Bank

RDO accepts applications for converison of properties with a fee of Rs.1000 / -.

The Village Officer must certify in the investigation that the property is not included as paddy field in the data bank established in 2008. This is proof that reclamation was done before.

Conversion fee up to 50% of fair value

Area ........ Pancha ........ Municipality. .... Corp.

Up to 25 cents: No fee ....... No fee ...... No fee

25- 50 cents: .... 10% ............... 20% ............ 30%

50- 100 cents: .... 20% ............... 30% .......... 40%

+100 cents: ......... 30% ............... 40% .......... 50%