Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, August 19:
A potential land scam in which the Planning and Development Authority, PDA, acted beyond its authority and transferred 34 plots of land in a prime spot in the Lamphelpat area has come to light.
The plots, each measuring between .01 to .09 acres have been leased fro 90 years each to 34 applicant from Lamphel Khunou in the Uripok constituency during January this year, according to information available with the this newspaper.
The plots have also been leased for literally a song, with each lease having to pay as little as Rs 2.374 to Rs 16,617 or approximately Rs 5.45 per square feet.
The market rate for the same is Rs 100 per sq ft.
the plot have also been leased as homesteads.
The whole exercise has however jumped the provisions of the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, MLR&LR Act (Allotment of Land) rules 1962 and the Manipur Town and Country Planning Act 1975.as per section 11(1) in chapter 3 of the MLR&LR Act, all land except patta land in the state belong to the state government.
Power to transfer or allot land is vested in the government along.
Section 14 of the same Act specifically mentions that allotment of land for agriculture and residential purpose shall be done by the concerned district commissioner.
This newspaper also learnt that no authorization has been given by the government to the PDA for the transfers.
The PDA has some power in deciding land use pattern if the said land falls within the Master Plan of the Manipur Town and Country Planning Act 1995.The 34 plots in questions however do not fall under this act either.