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What is RERA & How It Protects Land Buyers?Maharashtra Tables Bill to Remove Non-Farm Use Certificate Requirement for Conversion of Agricultural Land
The Maharashtra government has made a substantial step toward streamlining land-use procedures. During the winter session, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule presented the long-standing requirement of a non-farm use certificate called Sanad to the Legislative Assembly.
What Is Being Changed?
Until now, landowners in the state seeking to convert agricultural land into non-agricultural use had to navigate a multi-layered approval process. Even after securing the necessary non-agricultural (NA) permission, they still needed to obtain a Sanad — a legal certificate issued by revenue authorities — before legally developing or selling the land. This added layer often resulted in delays, higher costs, and bureaucratic hassles for ordinary landowners.
Under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, the requirement to obtain this Sanad will be completely eliminated. Instead, landowners will be required to pay a one-time nominal premium based on the Ready Reckoner rate to regularise the change in land use. The new structure is as follows:
- Up to 1,000 sq. metres: 0.1% of the Ready Reckoner value
- 1,001 to 4,000 sq. metres: 0.25% of the Ready Reckoner value
- Above 4,001 sq. metres: 0.5% of Ready Reckoner value
This premium replaces the need for the Sanad, making the process simpler and more predictable for landowners.
Why This Matters
For decades, the Sanad certificate was seen as a bureaucratic bottleneck that slowed down land conversion and deterred investment and development. Even after earlier reforms between 2014 and 2018 relaxed the NA permission requirement, the Sanad remained a hurdle. The new amendment aims to eliminate that final administrative barrier.
Benefits for Citizens and Landowners
The reform is expected to have several practical benefits:
- Faster Approvals: Land use change will be processed more quickly without the need for a separate Sanad certificate.
- Reduced Costs: With a predictable premium based on Ready Reckoner rates, landowners can better plan their finances without multiple fees.
- Encourages Development: Simplified rules are likely to encourage more residential and commercial development, particularly in peri-urban and rural areas.
- Ease of Doing Business: By cutting red tape, Maharashtra is aligning its land administration with broader national goals of improving the business environment.
Government Assurances
The state government has clarified that the removal of the Sanad requirement will not impact the revenue of local self-governing bodies — such as municipal corporations and panchayats — which will continue to receive their share of taxes and fees as before.
What Happens Next?
The bill has been tabled in the Assembly and must be passed by both houses of the state legislature and receive the Governor’s assent before becoming law. If enacted, it would mark one of the most significant simplifications of land conversion procedures in the state in recent years.
Land Registry Rules 2025: A New Era of Digital Property Registration in India
- Fully Digital Registration
Property registrations will now happen completely online.
No more long queues or physical visits to government offices.
- Aadhaar & Biometric Verification
To avoid fraud, Aadhaar and fingerprint verification will be required during registration.
This ensures the buyer and seller are genuine.
- One National Property Database
All property records across the country will be stored in a single digital system.
Makes it easy to verify ownership and reduces chances of dispute.
- E-Signatures & Instant Updates
Documents can be signed electronically.
Parties will receive real-time status updates on their registration process.
- Transparent Pricing System
Property values will follow a standardized and fair pricing model.
Helps avoid price manipulation and confusion.
- Quick Dispute Resolution
A new system will be set up to handle property disputes efficiently.
Focuses on fast and fair resolutions.
- Rural Access Made Easy
Even people in remote villages can access the system online.
Designed to be user-friendly and inclusive.
Rollout Plan
The system will be implemented in phases throughout 2025 to ensure smooth transition.
- Benefits to the Public
- More transparency in property dealings
- Faster processes and reduced paperwork
- Stronger security against fraud
- Inclusive access for all regions
- Cost savings from reduced travel and documentation
- Standard pricing ensures fairness
- Live tracking of registration status
- Less legal hassle through quick resolution of conflicts
Gokhale Constructions Bags Prime Land in Punes Model Colony for Rs 311 Cr Unveils Ultra Luxury Vision
In a landmark deal that’s set to reshape Pune’s premium real estate landscape, Gokhale Constructions, one of the city's most reputed developers, has acquired 3.5 acres of prime land in Model Colony for a staggering Rs. 311 crore. The land, earlier owned by Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust, sits at the heart of Pune, making it one of the most valuable and strategically located acquisitions in recent memory.
16 Lakh Sq. Ft. of Ultra-Premium Real Estate
This isn’t just another real estate development—it’s a bold, transformative vision. Gokhale Constructions plans to build a 16 lakh sq. ft. mixed-use development combining luxury residences and high-end retail spaces. With an estimated revenue potential of Rs. 2,500 crore, this project is poised to redefine upscale living in Pune.
- Starting price of residences: Rs. 7 Cr onwards
- Luxury retail & lifestyle experiences on-site
- Dedicated 51,000 sq. ft. modern hostel facility
- Revamping of existing Jain temple to enhance community heritage
- This multi-dimensional project uniquely blends heritage, luxury, and modern urban convenience—making it not just a home, but a lifestyle destination
A Legacy of Trust and Scale
Founded by Vishal Gokhale, a first-generation entrepreneur, Gokhale Constructions is no stranger to ambitious, high-quality developments:
- 200+ residential projects completed
- 5000+ families housed in central Pune
- Currently developing 2 million sq. ft. of residential and 3 million sq. ft. of commercial real estate
- Now actively entering Mumbai’s ultra-prime market, with deals underway
Source-Pune Pulse
PCMCs Demolition Drive Sparks Protests as Town Planning Schemes Loom in Chikhali Kudalwadi
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has come under fire from residents after the demolition of over 4,500 unauthorised structures in Chikhali-Kudalwadi. The aggressive drive, carried out as part of the civic body's efforts to reclaim land and initiate organised development, is linked to the launch of proposed Town Planning (TP) schemes in the area.
The PCMC has notified plans for two major TP schemes—one spanning 380 hectares in Chikhali-Kudalwadi and another covering 1,425 hectares in Charholi. These schemes are a part of the city's overall vision for orderly urban development, which seeks to solve the issues created by unorganised development and unauthorised buildings.
But the civic body's action has sparked mass unrest among residents, many of whom say they were not provided with adequate notice or alternative arrangements before their houses and buildings were razed. The situation escalated last week when a group of angry locals staged protests, shouting slogans and burning copies of the notification in a show of defiance.
Residents allege that the TP schemes disproportionately favour builders and developers at the cost of ordinary citizens who have lived in the area for years. The incident underscores the complex challenges that come with urban expansion, balancing civic planning with the rights of those directly affected.
As Pimpri-Chinchwad continues to grow, the success of these TP schemes may depend not just on the plans themselves, but on how well authorities can engage with, reassure, and include the communities they aim to transform.
Source: The Indian Express