Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) from time to time under its various development schemes has leased plots under relevant provisions of Nagpur Improvement Trust Act, 1936. Normally if the Lessee of such plot is one, its renewal process becomes quite easy and the same is done as per procedure prescribed. However major problems are being faced on plots which got developed into multi-storied apartments, many having commercial and workshops along with residential units and when lease deed of such plots gets expired, coordination amongst so many people becomes mission impossible.
Taking this issue in public interest, delegation of Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) led by its president J. P. Sharma met Sheetal Teli-Ugale – NIT Chairperson and held discussion and submitted memorandum in writing.
P. Sharma submitted before Chairperson that unfortunately in majority of buildings, one to two persons are always in argument with the society for some illogical reason and never cooperate or pay monthly maintenance of the building; such people never cooperate and the NIT lease remains pending. And when lease deed of such a plot with apartments gets expired, selling, mortgaging, obtaining loan becomes unworkable and this leads to unhealthy atmosphere in the apartment triggering various internal disputes at times leading to fights, police complaints and litigations in various courts.
Tejinder Singh Renu – Secretary of VTA said, it’s recommended that the leased land should be made freehold on charging minimum possible one time fees, which is possible u/s 76 of the NIT Act, 1936 and as done in Nazul plots by State Government for which VTA is extremely thankful.
This is also recommended because NIT has developed the area and now Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is taking due care; therefore, dual authority on same plot is unjust.
While till such provisions are passed and forwarded to Government of Maharashtra for approval, NIT can renew lease of the apartment plots by asking for majority; for example – in a building having 20 flats & 8 shops, the total ownership comes to 28 (20 + 8), so if 15 or more owners approach through their President / Secretary, NIT should process it immediately.
Renu said, admittedly this seems like a minor issue, but with time many families have shifted to apartments and if their land holding is NIT Lease, they are facing extreme hardship and are literally helpless despite being owner of the Apartment.
NIT Chairperson Sheetal Teli-Ugale said the issue of Plots getting freehold is State Government’s prerogative; NIT acquired those lands and generate revenue out of them, hence NIT cannot do that.
Appreciating VTA’s step of highlighting the lease renewal issue, NIT Chairperson assured VTA delegation that in next NIT Board meeting we’ll discuss this lease renew issue and take necessary decision which certainly needs some relaxation in public interest, however legal angle is also to be taken into consideration before coming to any conclusion.
Also present in VTA delegation were Hemant Trivedi and Amarjeet Singh Chawla – Joint Secretaries, Executive Body Members – Rajesh Kanungo, Goldy Tuli, and Govind Patel.
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