L&DO freeze on leasehold-to-freehold conversions leaves thousands of Delhiites in limbo
New Delhi: Thousands of Delhiites are facing a precarious situation as the land and development office (L&DO) under the
housing and urban affairs ministry
has stalled the conversion of leasehold properties to freehold for two-and-half years. The department has missed earlier deadlines to come up with new standard operating procedure (SOP) and rates for freehold conversion even after committing to courts.
As per ministry's annual report for 2020-21, L&DO is responsible for the administration of about 60,526 leases of central govt land in Delhi, out of which 34,905 properties have been converted into freehold. Though the number of properties under L&DO are much less compared to Delhi Development Authority, the land parcels and properties administered by L&DO are prime ones, located in Lutyens', South and Central Delhi.
There was no official response from the housing ministry on the status, reasons and by when the process will resume. Sources said the issue may be resolved in the next three months by when a detailed SOP will be issued and there will be simplified video guides for both conversion of leasehold properties to freehold and for getting the no objection certificate (NOC), which is mandatory for sale and registration of both leasehold and freehold properties.
TOI has learnt that L&DO is flooded with complaints and requests for conversion of property status. Sources said the issue is likely to be resolved in the next three months with a new SOP and the revised rates for conversion.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
The Cost Of Amusement Park Equipment From Mexico Might Surprise You
Amusement Park Equipment | search ads
Click Here
Undo
Some of the land owners who have been stuck due to "informal" suspension of conversion of L&DO land alleged that this has led to corruption on ground and are lured to pay an extra amount to get NOC for sale of properties.
Earlier, even the Delhi High Court had taken cognisance of the delay and had sought personal appearance of L&DO to explain the factual position in one case where the petitioner has dragged the agency to court for failing to convert a property despite complying with all requirements. In some cases, people have even moved court, including in the Delhi HC.
The L&DO had earlier informed the HC in one case that properties "could not be converted from leasehold to freehold as the SoP is under process and as such since 2022 no property was allowed to be converted".
The L&DO had allotted most of these lands and properties to individuals and entities in the 1950s at a very nominal rate and the conversion charge for these properties from leasehold to freehold is in the range of 6-10% of the land value depending on their size. Sources said as the prevailing market rate of these properties is very high, there is more demand from leaseholders to get them freehold so that they can sell them off.
They added that the middlemen involved in these sale-purchase transactions get the most out of this and the govt needs to consider how to go for better discovery of price to protect its interest and also carry out conversion of land deeds.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
15 minutes ago
- Time of India
Solar body urges govt to extend transmission fee waiver for delayed projects
The National Solar Energy Federation of India ( NSEFI ) has urged the government to protect the viability of numerous renewable energy projects facing risks from delays beyond the control of developers, according to a person familiar with the matter. In the letter to the advisor to the Prime Minister's Office, the federation urged that the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges waiver be extended to projects getting commissioned by June 2026 and meeting a specific criterion relating to connectivity application status, financial closure, land acquisition beyond the 50 per cent threshold, and if orders for equipment have been made. The federation, representing a broad spectrum of stakeholders across the solar value chain, stated that while the ISTS waiver, originally announced by the Ministry of Power (MoP), has played a "pivotal role in making renewable power more competitive", its delayed implementation by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) in February 2023 left many developers in a limbo. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold Container Homes in North Cotabato - Prices You Won't Believe! Shipping Container Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo Also Read: NTPC Group starts Nokh Solar PV Project, total capacity reaches 80,708 MW ISTS charges are the fees levied for using the transmission infrastructure to move electricity between states. They are imposed to cover the costs relating to building and maintaining transmission lines and other infrastructure required for interstate electricity transfer. According to an energy expert, industry estimates state that renewable energy projects of nearly Rs 5 lakh crore would be impacted if the waiver of ISTS charges is not extended. Live Events "Several RE developers made early investments, securing land, achieving financial closure, and signing definitive agreements based on the original MoP notification," the federation said. However, due to aspects like the nearly two-year lag in CERC's ratification and other uncontrollable factors, these developers are now at risk of missing the commissioning deadline of June 30, 2025, making them ineligible for the waiver. The federation flagged multiple aspects, including prolonged approvals under Section 68(1) of the Electricity Act due to an ongoing Supreme Court case on Great Indian Bustard conservation, delay in transmission planning and connectivity effectiveness, and delayed commissioning of critical transmission infrastructure. "Several developers applied for ISTS connectivity well before June 2023, in line with the ISTS waiver policy timelines. However, the effectiveness dates for granted connectivity are being issued much later, often in 2026 or 2027, due to delays in transmission system planning and execution," the federation said. The federation has proposed a milestone-based eligibility framework for the waiver. It has recommended that projects that had applied for transmission connectivity on or before June 30, 2023, achieved financial closure, acquired at least 50 per cent of the land required for their development, and placed orders for wind turbine generators and/or inverters must be considered for the purpose of availing the ISTS waiver. It argued that the approach is consistent with CERC's regulations and recent Ministry of Power notifications granting waiver flexibility to pumped storage and battery storage projects. "The proposed eligibility criteria will ensure that only serious and committed renewable energy developers, who had factored the ISTS waiver into their project design and commercial commitments, benefit from this extension," the federation said.
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
What do UAE office workers really want? Insights from the 2025 Global Workplace Survey
UAE employees want 67% of their workweek in-office, but only 31% feel their current spaces support their best work due to noise and layout issues. (Representational Image) Global architecture and design firm Gensler has released its 2025 Global Workplace Survey, delivering an in-depth look at what office workers want, and aren't getting, in the United Arab Emirates. Marking its twentieth edition, the survey drew insights from more than 16,800 full-time office workers across 15 countries, including a focused sample from the UAE. The survey findings come at a crucial moment as the UAE pushes forward on national priorities such as the 'We the UAE 2031' vision and the National Strategy for Wellbeing. With this momentum in mind, the report provides a practical roadmap for employers and developers aiming to build future-ready workspaces aligned with innovation, talent attraction, and sustainable growth. 'The UAE has become a global benchmark for ambition and adaptability,' said Edith Eddy, Senior Interior Designer, Workplace, at Gensler Middle East. 'In cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we are witnessing rapid shifts in how people live and work, and the workplace must evolve accordingly. Our research reveals a clear gap between what employees need to thrive — flexibility, creativity, and connection, and what their current spaces provide. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Amazon CFD : La clave para un ingreso extra (Conoce más) Empezar ahora Registrarse Undo Bridging this gap will be essential for organisations aiming to attract talent, foster innovation, and design workplaces that truly support the future of work in the Emirates. ' Workplace satisfaction in the UAE: Improvements, but still not enough Despite heavy post-pandemic investment in upgraded office spaces across the UAE, including new, in-demand office buildings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, only 31% of UAE office workers strongly agree that their current workspace enables them to do their best work, according to Gensler. This places the UAE ahead of France and Japan, but behind the UK, India, and the United States in workplace satisfaction. Common pain points remain: Noise Lack of room availability Layout inefficiencies Top improvement areas identified by employees include: Quiet spaces for focus Better meeting room acoustics Access to informal collaboration zones A lot of noise is rated as the biggest concern voiced by UAE office staff about their workplaces A shift away from traditional 'business hubs' One of the report's most striking insights is the shifting vision for what an ideal workplace looks like. Only 15% of UAE workers said their ideal workplace is a formal 'business hub,' even though 29% said that describes their current environment. Instead, there's a marked preference for: 'Creative labs' 'Nature retreats' These settings are described as flexible, tranquil, and purpose-driven environments that support innovation and wellbeing. 'This reflects a global trend away from rigid corporate settings,' the Gensler report states. The UAE is now ranked among the top five countries worldwide where employees show a strong preference for imaginative and wellness-focused workspaces. In-office work still matters- if the office serves a purpose While flexible work is valued, UAE employees still see the office as essential. Respondents said 67% of their ideal workweek should be spent in the office, well above the global average of 60%. Yet actual attendance is lower, largely because current office setups aren't meeting employee needs. Top reasons for in-office attendance include: Team meetings Confidential conversations Visibility to senior leadership However, only 28% of UAE workers believe their meeting spaces are adequately equipped to support these functions. Amenities and neighbourhood features are increasingly important Gensler's survey also looked beyond the office walls. UAE employees showed a stronger-than-global-average preference for certain amenities both inside and around the workplace. Most valued in-office amenities: Cafés Coworking zones Quiet rooms Libraries Innovation hubs Preferred surrounding neighbourhood features: Walkable access to coffee shops Medical centres Outdoor green spaces Religious or spiritual facilities These preferences signal a broader desire for community-integrated, holistic work environments that support both professional productivity and personal wellbeing.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
NATO chief Rutte calls for 400 pc increase in alliance's air, missile defence
NATO members need to increase their air and missile defences by 400 per cent to counter the threat from Russia, the head of the military alliance plans to say on Monday. Secretary-General Mark Rutte will say during a visit to London that NATO must take a "quantum leap in our collective defence" to face growing instability and threats, according to extracts released by NATO before Rutte's speech. Rutte is due to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing St. ahead of a NATO summit in the Netherlands where the 32-nation alliance is likely to commit to a big hike in military spending. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Like other NATO members, the UK has been reassessing its defence spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Starmer has pledged to increase British defence spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product by 2027 and to 3 per cent by 2034. Rutte has proposed a target of 3.5 per cent of economic output on military spending and another 1.5 per cent on "defence-related expenditure" such as roads, bridges, airfields and sea ports. He said last week he is confident the alliance will agree to the target at its summit in The Hague on June 24-25. Live Events At the moment, 22 of the 32 member countries meet or exceed NATO's current 2 per cent target. The new target would meet a demand by President Donald Trump that member states spend 5 per cent of gross domestic product on defence. Trump has long questioned the value of NATO and complained that the US provides security to European countries that don't contribute enough. Rutte plans to say in a speech at the Chatham House think tank in London that NATO needs thousands more armoured vehicles and millions more artillery shells, as well as a 400 per cent increase in air and missile defence. "We see in Ukraine how Russia delivers terror from above, so we will strengthen the shield that protects our skies," he plans to say. "Wishful thinking will not keep us safe. We cannot dream away the danger. Hope is not a strategy. So NATO has to become a stronger, fairer and more lethal alliance." European NATO members , led by the UK and France, have scrambled to coordinate their defence posture as Trump transforms American foreign policy, seemingly sidelining Europe as he looks to end the war in Ukraine. Last week the UK government said it would build new nuclear-powered attack submarines, prepare its army to fight a war in Europe and become "a battle-ready, armour-clad nation." The plans represent the most sweeping changes to British defences since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than three decades ago.
