In a major administrative move, the Chandigarh revenue department has put forward a proposal to formally hand over the ownership rights of nearly 500 acres of panchayat land to the city's Municipal Corporation. This step aims to resolve a long-standing legal anomaly concerning land control in areas that were merged with the city years ago.
Correcting a Six-Year-Old Anomaly
The need for this transfer stems from the 2018 merger of 13 villages with the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC). While the villages and their assets came under the civic body's jurisdiction through an official notification, the ownership records for the panchayat land were never updated. On paper, the land continued to be registered in the name of the now-defunct village panchayats, creating a discrepancy between de facto control and legal ownership.
"Technically, the land was under MC control since the merger, but the records still show panchayat ownership. This exercise will correct that anomaly," explained sources within the administration to The Times of India. The identified land parcels are spread across the merged villages, totaling approximately 500 acres.
Paperwork Complete, Final Decision Awaited
The revenue department has completed the extensive groundwork for the transfer. Officials confirmed that all necessary paperwork has been prepared and shared with the local bodies department, which is now the final authority to approve the recommendation. Once the formal nod is given, the legal title of the land will be updated to reflect the Municipal Corporation as the rightful owner.
This procedural clarity is expected to unlock the land's potential for planned development. "Once ownership is formally transferred, the MC can plan and utilise the land for development projects and public utilities," the sources added. This could include infrastructure upgrades, community facilities, and other civic amenities tailored to the needs of these areas.
Paving the Way for Integrated Development
The merger of the 13 villages six to seven years ago was a step towards Chandigarh's expansion. Since then, these areas have elected their municipal councillors and have been included in the city's planning framework. The MC had even prepared a dedicated village development plan and sanctioned funds for their progress, under which several works have already been executed.
The formal transfer of land ownership is seen as the last piece of the puzzle, enabling a more streamlined and legally sound approach to urban planning. It empowers the Municipal Corporation to make long-term, legally secure decisions regarding the use of this significant land bank, ultimately benefiting the residents of the merged villages and the city as a whole.
