Time period to apply for regularisation of post-facto conversion of land to be extended by six months

Kolkata: The state government is expected to extend the time period once again to apply for regularisation of post-facto conversion of land by six months.

With the extension, one can apply for regularisation of the post-facto conversion of land only if it has taken place before November 7, 2017. This is in view to "regularising unauthorised conversion of land other than water body exceeding 0.03 acre situated in the areas falling within the local limits of any municipal corporation or municipality, or any plot of land exceeding 0.08 acres situated in the area not falling within the local limits of any municipal corporation or municipality."

According to a senior official of the state Land and Land Reforms and Refugee Relief and Rehabilitation department, conversion of land by violating set rules is a cognizable offence and one may be imprisoned or fined or both. Hence, the state government has taken the move to extend the time period to apply for the same considering that it will help people to settle disputes, just by paying the fine, those are pending for a long time.

The official added that in a bid to allow the regularisation, necessary amendment of the West Bengal Land reforms (Amendment) Act 2010 was made by the West Bengal Land Reforms (Third Amendment Act) 2017. The one-time provision to provide legitimacy to such plots "ensures effective implementation of the Act in protecting the interest of the those who are holding land for a long time and have already converted the character of land without due permission for different purposes like educational institutions, health care institutions, industrial or commercial units etc." It will help in bringing additional investments for expansion and thus enhance employment opportunities and henceforth contribute to the state Gross Domestic Product.

The regularisation of the same is applicable for "homestead" which are meant for "personal use" as well. Many cases have come up in which houses have been built following the conversion of land and people are residing there for years without having much knowledge regarding the steps needed to regularise the same, the official added saying that the move will be immensely helpful for such plot holders.

"This is the third time when the state government is strongly considering to give extension for six months to apply for regularisation of post-factor conversion of land that took place before November 7 in 2017. Earlier, twice extension of six months each was given. First, the extension was given from February 8 to August 7 in 2019. Again, the state government had extended the date to apply for regularisation up to February 7 this year," the official said adding that now they are waiting for the final nod for extension of the same for another six months.

Sources in the state government added that till date around 600 applications have been received with a request for the regularisation.