Jaipur Government to Regularize 87 Unauthorized Colonies, Grant Land Leases

In a significant move, the Rajasthan government has decided to regularize 87 unauthorized colonies in Jaipur, primarily located in the Sanganer Assembly constituency of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. These colonies, which have been occupied for years without legal ownership, will now receive official lease deeds (pattas) upon payment of government charges.

The decision was made during a recent meeting of the Urban Development and Housing (UDH) department, where it was resolved that the Rajasthan Housing Board (RHB) will soon transfer ownership rights of these plots to the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA). Following this, JDA will set up dedicated camps to distribute pattas, ensuring that residents only pay applicable fees.

Objective Behind the Regularization

This initiative aims to enable the government to recover dues such as property taxes, water bills, and other municipal charges from these colonies. Until now, the authorities were unable to levy such taxes or evict illegal occupants, often due to legal hurdles and humanitarian concerns.

Many of these residences already have electricity connections, making it practical to grant them official ownership rights. Once pattas are issued, residents will also become eligible to apply for Bisalpur water connections, further integrating them into the formal urban infrastructure.

Implementation Timeline

The housing cooperative society and development committee have been directed to submit records by May 15, with JDA expected to organize camps for patta distribution by July. The order applies strictly to these specific colonies in Jaipur and does not extend to other unauthorized settlements across the state.

Political Concerns and Allegations

While officials justify the move as a step toward better urban planning and revenue recovery, some within the UDH department have alleged that the policy is politically motivated. They claim that regularizing colonies in the Chief Minister’s constituency is a strategic move rather than a neutral administrative decision.

Regardless of the political implications, this step marks a significant development in Jaipur’s urban governance, potentially setting a precedent for similar initiatives in other regions.

Image source: rhb.rajathan.gov.in