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The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Property owners in south Delhi lament pause on leasehold-to-freehold conversion
An undeclared pause on leasehold-to-freehold conversion for the past two and a half years by the Land and Development Office (L&DO) has put many owners in south Delhi in a fix over the legal status and future prospects of their properties. A total of 264 such applications by owners in Chittaranjan Park, Lajpat Nagar and Defence Colony, among other areas, are pending with the L&DO, which comes under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, since the authority paused the issuance of fresh no-objection certificates (NOCs) in December 2022. The L&DO has cited an impending revision in land rates as the reason for not issuing the NOCs, which are mandatory for the sale and registration of leasehold and freehold properties. The L&DO revised land rates for both residential and commercial areas last in 2017. A fresh rate revision is awaited. A freehold property ownership also gives the owner complete rights without any restrictions over the property's construction, modification, and transfer. When reached for comment, the L&DO did not respond. Many of the applicants The Hindu reached out to said the NOCs are essential to carry out urgently needed infrastructural revamps. 'House needs repair' A property owner in Chittaranjan Park, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, 'Every year, rain causes a lot of waterlogging around my house, causing severe damage to the structure. I want to reconstruct it. Since 2023, I have visited L&DO's office more than 20 times, but I haven't yet got the NoC.' A Defence Colony-based property agent, Pankaj Garg, said, 'I know several such families who are waiting to sell their properties. Many of them, who got these properties 30 to 40 years ago, are old now and can't manage without a lift.' Another property agent, Himanshu Pahwa, said growing families find it difficult to adjust to the continually shrinking spaces. 'At least 15 families I know are waiting to sell these old properties and buy bigger spaces with more luxury in other parts of the NCR [National Capital Region].' Meanwhile, some property dealers see a silver lining amid the long wait for NOCs. 'The delay is a good thing. It has slowed down new developments. This helps us crack deals quicker. Low inventory doesn't give buyers too many options,' said an agent on the condition of anonymity. The L&DO has around 7% of the land in Delhi. The authority gave away these parcels on lease after Independence at nominal rates to establish residential areas. A total of 60,526 properties are under it, of which 34,905 have been converted to freehold. An owner has to meet three conditions to get their property converted to freehold — there should be no unauthorised construction in the leased property, the property must not be put to any other use than the one specified in the lease deed, and it should be free 'from all kinds of encumbrances', including legal disputes and court injunctions.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Karnataka High Court declines to quash case against KIADB officer caught while returning alleged bribe amount
The High Court of Karnataka has refused to quash a corruption case against an officer of the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), who was caught in a 'reverse-trap' case when he was returning the alleged bribe money of ₹3 lakh in cash to the complainant. 'In a reverse trap scenario, the public servant allegedly returns money previously received as illegal gratification. These facts, when projected before the court, require a complex evidentiary matrix. The issues that arise in cases of reverse trap are distinct from a traditional trap. The central twist in a reverse trap would be as to why the public servant returns the money,' the court said. The court said the case requires investigation to demonstrate the innocence of a public servant, as the matter is still at the stage of investigation, to clear obfuscation about whether the bribe was ever demanded or accepted in the first place. Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the order while dismissing a petition filed by A.B. Vijaya Kumar, who was working as Special Land Acquisition Officer (SLAO)-2 at KIADB, Bengaluru, during September 2022. The complainant, B.S. Arun, had alleged that he had sought a no-objection certificate from the KIADB for construction related to a temple at Laggere in Bengaluru. Though the petitioner-SLAO had demanded ₹4 lakh bribe and received ₹2.5 lakh through another person from his office for issuing the NoC, the document was not issued despite repeated requests. Hence, Mr. Arun had lodged a complaint with the Special Deputy Commissioner of the KIADB alleging that the petitioner was not issuing the NoC despite receiving the bribe. Following this complaint, the petitioner issued the NoC and is said to have offered to return the bribe amount as a donation to the temple with a request to Mr. Arun to withdraw the complaint made to the Special Deputy Commissioner. The Lokayukta police, acting on the complaint by Mr. Aurn, caught the petitioner red-handed when he was returning ₹3 lakh to the complainant. But it was argued on behalf of the petitioner that the complaint could not have been registered as there was no material for demand and acceptance besides there being mismatch of ₹50,000 between the alleged bribe amount received and returned. However, the court declined to interfere in the investigation, stating that the probe is essential to find out whether the bribe was in fact demanded and accepted as per the law.
Hans India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
On International Day of Families, discover four organisations driving change
Families are a core part of our evolving world. Supporting them through family-friendly policies is crucial to building stable and inclusive societies, according to the UN Women report 'Families in a Changing World.' Each year on May 15, we observe the International Day of Families to recognise the role families play in society and the challenges they face. In India, the concept of family continues to shape community life, offering support systems, emotional stability, and a foundation for cultural and ethical values. This framework has also enabled various non-profit organisations, local self-governments, and policymakers to implement effective grassroots initiatives. On this International Day of Families, explore four development organisations transforming rural India through their most effective family-centred approaches. An Overview: Transform Rural India (Neighbourhoods of Care) True to its motto, 'Grounded Solutions, Scalable Change,' Transform Rural India (TRI), envisions a rural India where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. Among the development designer's most impactful initiatives is Neighbourhoods of Care (NoC), a community-driven model that places people at the centre of healthcare governance. At the core of NoC is the idea of shared responsibility, especially through the active involvement of women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Panchayati Raj Institutions and frontline health workers. By anchoring healthcare governance within local bodies like Jan Arogya Samitis, NoC strengthens community oversight and ensures that health services respond to local needs and everyday challenges. The model recognises that health outcomes are influenced not only by medical interventions but also by social, ecological, behavioural, and gender-related factors. It enables families to quietly shape these aspects through everyday attitudes, habits and support systems. NoC is built on the core idea of developing a strong support network that brings together community institutions and governance platforms to strengthen collective responsibility for health. This involves regular community dialogues, participatory health planning, and the active involvement of local leaders in monitoring services and addressing concerns. Smile Foundation (The Life-Cycle Approach) Founded in 2002 by Santanu Mishra and a group of like-minded professionals, Smile Foundation is an Indian development NGO that follows a holistic Life-Cycle Approach. Its programmes focus on family health, livelihoods, and women's empowerment, addressing the needs of children, their families, and the broader community. At its core is a family-centric model based on the understanding that individuals cannot thrive in isolation. By addressing the interconnected needs of all family members, the NGO works to build a support system where the family becomes a platform for lasting change. Its 'Health Cannot Wait' initiative delivers essential healthcare services to the doorstep of vulnerable communities, with special attention to women and children. Complementing this are awareness activities like school health camps and street plays, encouraging families and children to adopt preventive and health-seeking behaviours. Navjyoti India Foundation (Community Development) Navjyoti India Foundation, established in 1988, is a nonprofit organisation working in urban slums and rural areas across North India. Its mission is to prevent crime by addressing the underlying social issues of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and gender inequality. The foundation operates on the belief that lasting community change begins with empowered families. Its integrated model for community development is centred around the 6S framework: Sakshar, Saksham, Sashakt, Swachh, Swasth and Swavlambi. Through this framework, the foundation works to resolve long-standing social issues such as domestic violence, child marriage, family breakdown, and weakened community bonds. These challenges have shaped its approach to crime prevention, focusing on addressing root causes rather than symptoms. Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children India) Since 2004, Bal Raksha Bharat has been working across 16 states in India to ensure that children grow up in safe, nurturing environments. The NGO collaborates closely with government bodies at the national, state, and district levels to implement child welfare programmes. Its family-focused approach to disaster response and child protection emphasises preparedness, risk reduction, and long-term recovery. The organisation recognises that children are often the most vulnerable during humanitarian crises, facing risks such as family separation and various forms of abuse. Bal Raksha Bharat goes beyond immediate relief by maintaining ongoing support systems for affected children, ensuring continuity in care and protection throughout the recovery process.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Procedural lapses' alleged in relocation project in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary
Concerns have been raised on the 'procedural lapses' in the 'voluntary' relocation of 57 families from Talewadi village in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS), even as the Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre is slated to distribute cheques to the applicants, on Saturday. BWS in Belagavi district abuts the Kali Tiger Reserve and is surrounded by Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary as well as Mahadai Wildlife Sanctuary of Goa, and it is recognised as an important tiger corridor. Though the relocation is stated to be voluntary, Raghavendra, an RTI activist from Dharwad, has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, highlighting 'procedural lapses' in complying with the law. Claiming that consent was not obtained from the gram sabha, the activist said that it was in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Though the Forest Department did hold a gram sabha meeting to obtain its consent in the first week of May, other activists said the gram sabha meeting should precede project approval by the district-level committee (DLC). 'It cannot be a post-approval exercise to show compliance with the law,' according to the activists. It was also pointed out that the gram panchayat Nersa had issued NoC to the villagers instead of conducting the gram sabha, which, according to the activists, amounted to flouting the law. 'Although the NTCA guidelines mandate that the free and informed consent of the gram sabha is mandatory prior to placing the relocation proposals before the district-level committee, it was approved without any consent, and even funds were released. The gram sabha meeting cannot be held after the DLC approval and would be challenged legally in the appropriate forum,' said the activists. Meanwhile, a release from Eshwar Khandre stated that villagers have voluntarily agreed to relocate as they were living under constant fear of wild animals. He said each family will receive a cheque of ₹10 lakh in the first phase of distribution on May 17, and once these families vacate the forests, the remaining ₹5 lakh will be disbursed, subject to verification and confirmation by the Forest Department. The Minister said that he had personally visited the area during the Assembly session held in Belagavi in December and had interacted with the forest dwellers. They are deprived of basic amenities like roads, water, and electricity and hence the voluntary relocation exercise was being carried out. Relocation of a few other villages will also be taken up in case the locals volunteer for it, he added.
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Khadakwasla-Phursungi underground tunnel stuck in environmental clearance delay
The underground tunnel project between Khadakwasla and Phursungi—aimed at preventing water leakage—remains stalled as it awaits clearance from the environment department, said officials. The canal is intended to replace the ageing New Right Bank Mutha Canal, which currently supplies irrigation and drinking water from the Khadakwasla chain project to Pune city and parts of Indapur, Daund, Baramati, and Haveli talukas. The existing canal, which passes through densely populated areas of Pune, suffers from significant water leakage due to years of neglect and lack of maintenance. Encroachments along the canal route have also added to the challenges. Yogesh Sawant, executive engineer of the Khadakwasla irrigation division, who is in charge of the project, said, 'The forest department gave us the No Objection Certificate (NoC) about one and a half months ago. Now, we are waiting for approval from the state environment department. Two weeks ago, the department held a meeting with officials and said they would visit the site next week.' 'We have already finished the tender process. Once we get the environment department's approval, we will be ready to start the work,' he said. Government officials estimate that the proposed underground tunnel could save at least 2.5 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water annually, currently lost due to leakage. The project is also seen as a step towards freeing up land for future road and metro development in Pune. The Maharashtra cabinet had approved the project in August last year, sanctioning ₹2,190.78 crore for its execution.
