Maharashtra: Land Powers Delegated to Collectors, Commissioners

Mumbai, Jun 5 (PTI) Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Friday said the state government has delegated its powers to approve the sale, transfer, redevelopment and change of use of government land to district collectors and divisional commissioners.

The decision has been taken in line with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' vision of dynamic governance, he added.

"By empowering officers at the regional level, citizens and developers will no longer have to make repeated visits to Mantralaya. This will give a major boost to development works. The decentralisation of powers has been carried out under Maharashtra Land Revenue Code. it will make the administration more efficient while saving citizens' time, travel and money," he said.

Until now, approvals from the state government were required for matters related to the sale, transfer, redevelopment and change of use of government land, including proposals involving additional Floor Space Index (FSI) and Transferable Development Rights (TDR).

With the powers now vested in district collectors, authorities will be able to dispose of files at the local level more quickly, Bawankule said, adding the move would significantly reduce procedural delays, improve administrative efficiency and accelerate development projects across the state.


The government has cancelled earlier notifications issued on December 28, 2015 and September 17, 2016 as part of the exercise to streamline decision-making.

According to the revised framework, district collectors will have powers in cases involving up to Rs 10 lakh, while divisional commissioners will be authorised to deal with cases up to Rs 20 lakh. The government will continue to recover 'nazarana' and other charges as prescribed under rules.

Bawankule said the new provisions will not have retrospective effect on 'nazul' lands and that original conditions will prevail wherever discrepancies arise.

The Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had directed the government to make administration faster and more citizen-centric, leading to the decision to devolve powers to field-level officers, he said.

The revenue minister said the reform would reduce the burden on Mantralaya and facilitate quicker implementation of development projects.