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Journalism of Courage
Industry Minister Uday Samant on Thursday promised to make nearly one lakh properties which were under PCNTDA till 2021 as ‘freehold.’
“We have to see whether the transfer of properties in the name of owners puts any burden on the municipal corporation and the state government. After that we will take the decision for making the properties under PMRDA freehold,” Samant said in the Assembly on Thursday.
PCNTDA or Pimpri-Chinchwad Newtownship Development Authority was set up in 1972. Under it, land was given on lease for 99 years. In 2021, the PCNTDA was merged with Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). The developed land under it was transferred to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation while vacant land was given to PMRDA.
The minister’s announcement to make PCNTDA properties freehold came after Bhosari MLA Mahesh Landge raised the issue, highlighting the problems faced by the people living on PCNTDA land.
“PCNTDA was set up by the state government in 1972 to provide affordable housing to the working community. However, the property owners who have got their land on 99-year lease are facing all sorts of difficulties. Be it in redeveloping their properties, getting completion certificates or registering their properties,” Landge said.
Landge said now that PCNTDA does not exist anymore, residents should become the full owner of their properties and not remain lease holders.
Hailing the government announcement to make properties freehold, Landge said, “There are over 97,000 properties given on lease by PCNTDA in its jurisdiction. If the government makes the properties freehold, 95 per cent of the residential societies will benefit,” he said.
Congress leader Babu Nair said, “It remains to be see on what terms the state government makes the properties freehold. It does not seem to be easier as it is being said. May be the government has made the announcement in view of the ensuing assembly elections. We do not know anything yet…Let them at least start the process.”
