DELHI LAND REFORMS ACT 1954 - HOW RELEVANT IS IT IN URBANIZED DELHI?

For the 100 odd years preceding our Independence in 1947, the British had created multiple laws to control and exploit the Land revenue. These were formed on geographic basis. For example, the Punjab Tenancy act 1887, Agra Tenancy Act 1901, Punjab Land Revenue act 1889 etc. It also created?an unequal society of Landowners; Zamindars, Marginal Landlords and Landless.?

Between 1908 - 1930, the administrative capital of India was shifted from Kolkata to Delhi. Besides the Lutyens Delhi, the current extent of Delhi was shaped from the surrounding Tehsils.?

In the year 1954, The DELHI LAND REFORMS ACT, was framed to provide for modification of Zamindari System so as to create an uniform body of peasant proprietor intermediaries, for the unification of the (1) Punjab and (2) Agra systems of tenancy laws in force?within the State of Delhi and to make provisions for other matters connected therewith.

With the passage of Delhi Master Plans 2021 & the draft Master plan 2041; one was notified vide S.O # 141 in Feb'2007 and the latter has been approved by DDA and forwarded to the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, the entire NCT of Delhi is urbanizable. We are all privy to the Optics & Political wrangling that keep playing in the media.?

Here are some facts about Delhi Master Plan likely to become a sustained Investment & development opportunity spanning the next 2 decades.?

~ 57000 Ha of Development

~ $ 100 Billion opportunity

~ Could the state GDP every 7 years

~ Evolve Delhi as the services capital

~ Cater to a population of >3.2 crore in 2 decades

~ Improve quality of life

After all, this is the capital of the nation which is headed towards being the third largest economy in the world. Don’t forget, Delhi is the second most densely populated capital of the world, after Tokyo.?

Delhi Land reforms Act 1954 is the biggest impediment to the planned development of Delhi. The discretionary use of it by the Administrative officers of the revenue department doesn’t build the confidence amongst the stakeholder of Delhi Master Plans. Officers of various tehsils interpret the law, as per their understanding, and impose various sections like 33, 81 etc. on the landowners. It doesn’t serve any purpose other than harassment and delays in investment transaction closure. There are multiple judgements by the Appellate courts as well Judicial verdicts which clearly pronounce that ‘the Delhi Land reforms Act ceases to apply post urbanization and the revenue courts have no jurisdiction to entertain such matters.’

I would be happy to write a detailed piece on each section of DLR Act and how it impedes the planned development of Delhi. Also, Delhi is home to almost 10,000 unauthorized colonies, which too is amongst the highest in the world.?

The Delhi Govt, along with the guidance from DDA & MoHUA have to build investor confidence & build momentum which clearly has the potential to double the GDP of Delhi in the next 4 years. Multiplicity of authorities in Delhi should be the first problem to be tackled by the elected representatives in the Legislature & Parliament?