Vacant Land Tax under consideration: Tope

Mumbai, Dec 18 (UNI) Maharashtra Minister of State for Urban Development Rajesh Tope today said the government, after repealing the Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) Act recently, was considering implementation of Vacant Land Tax Act on the lines of Karnataka.

Mr Tope made this comment while speaking to Uttara Mone in an interview for 'Dilkhulas' programme, produced by Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, to be broadcast from all the centres of Akashwani tomorrow.

Speaking further, the Minister said after repealing the Act, nearly 42,000 hectare vacant land has become available. If houses are not constructed within the stipulate period on this vacant land, then tax will be levied on it.

Therefore, flats in large number will become available for the common man and it will lead to reduction in cost of flats. Apart from that, constituting a Regulation Commission for controlling the price of houses is also under consideration, he said.

New Housing Policy is open for discussions. The policy is aimed at common man and will benefit them, he said.

Maharashtra is leading under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). A proposal of Rs 24,000 crore has been submitted to the Centre for approval, of which Rs 6,440 crore has been approved and Rs 750 crore have been disbursed, said Mr Tope.

Due to rapid urbanisation, people should co-operate in keeping city clean and beautiful, he appealed.

UNI