New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta said on Saturday that there would be a revision of circle rates soon. Citing inconsistencies with market value of land, CM directed the revision of circle rates and announced the formation of a committee under the chairmanship of the divisional commissioner to carry out this task.The committee will submit a report based on current market conditions and property values, which will then be used as the basis for revising the circle rates. Gupta said that there were inconsistencies in the current circle rate structure across Delhi that required reassessment.Circle rates, or minimum rates for the valuation of land and immovable property, were last hiked for residential areas in all existing categories (A to H) in Delhi in 2014. The previous govt also proposed an increase in the circle rate on farming land from Rs 53 lakh per acre fixed in 2008 to Rs 2-5 crore. However, it was not notified.Officials said that since there is a big gap between the existing circle rates and the market rate at which the sale and purchase of properties take place, there was an existing proposal to hike the rates by up to 35%. They said that govt would now come out with a fresh proposal after including feedback of stakeholders. Govt may also consider downgrading or upgrading the categories of certain colonies based on their location, facilities and existing market rates.Officials said the previous plan prepared by the revenue department proposing the creation of sub-categories in A to H categories of residential areas with multiple slabs of rates was returned by the finance department with objections and suggestions. Delhi govt formed an empowered committee in 2016 and set up four working groups in 2021 to revise the rates, but no final decision was taken.Former deputy CM Manish Sisodia said in March 2022 that revising circle rates to align with the market rates was necessary to increase govt revenues in sectors other than GST. Lieutenant governor VK Saxena also asked the revenue department in Sept last year to give a presentation on the proposal it had finalised, but a perfect draft could not be readied.Gupta, after meeting with the task force to discuss the issues related to the development of better infrastructure in the capital and ease of doing business, said the meeting focused on critical issues such as unauthorised colonies, housing societies, redevelopment of colonies, and modernisation of infrastructure in industrial zones. CM said there was a need to make construction-related procedures simple, transparent and accountable to avoid unnecessary delays in developmental works.Regarding unauthorised colonies, Gupta instructed all civic agencies to take proactive steps for their improvement. She also directed Delhi Development Authority and urban development department to prepare a comprehensive and detailed report addressing issues related to ownership rights and property registration in these colonies.
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