Software to help clear backlog of land cases
The state government has decided to hire the services of a global company, Ernst and Young India, to develop a software for clearing cases of land transfer under Section 118 of the Tenancy and Land Reforms Act within a month’s time. The company’s software is expected to enable time-bound clearances. Sources said the government was keen that all sanctions were given at the level of Deputy Commissioner and the Revenue Department in the Secretariat within a month. They said the same software would be used for clearing all cases of land purchase under the single-window system. This would include projects under tourism, power, industry or any other sector. The entire exercise, including hiring the services of professional companies, is being done with an eye on the investors’ meet, proposed to be held in Dharamsala in June after the elections. The government is eyeing an investment of almost Rs 85,000 crore, primarily in power, tourism, industry, health tourism, horticulture and agriculture sectors. With Section 118 of the Tenancy and Land Reforms Act perceived to be the biggest hurdle in attracting investments, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had right at the outset stressed the need for simplifying it. As such, efforts are on to simplify the cumbersome procedures required for seeking permission to buy land in HP by outsiders. Section 118 bars outsiders from purchasing land in Himachal and prior permission has to be sought even by an industrial unit or any entrepreneur. The state government had notified a committee, headed by Chief Secretary in May 2018, which was to examine the issue of simplifying lease rules under the Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972, so that investors did not face any problem in obtaining clearances. Besides, reducing the number of mandatory NOCs, the government is also contemplating making the grant of these certificates time-bound. This in turn will help the investors to complete the formalities for setting up any project or unit in a time-bound manner without inordinate delays.
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