Policy for Government waste land to



be made cultivable by use of modern

technology.

Government of Gujarat,

Revenue Department,

Resolution No. JMN/3903/453/A (Part-I),

Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar.

Dated: 17-05-2005.


PREAMBLE:

The State of Gujarat has spread over an area of 188 lakh hectares. Of

which 18.65 lakh hectares of land is covered with forest, 25.99 lakh hectares of

land is uncultivable waste land and 19.84 lakh hectares of land is cultivable

waste land and the rest of land belongs to other categories. (Ref. statistical

outline Gujarat State 2004 published by Director of economics and statistics).

Under the existing policy, the aim of bringing large area of Government

waste land under plough has not been achieved. Therefore, with a view to

bringing large area of land under plough through land management by use of

modern technology, a policy as to grant land on lease basis to big industrial

houses and individual; competent farmers for cultivation of horticulture and

biofuel – trees was under active consideration of Government.

OBJECTIVES :

(1) Bringing a large area of Government waste land under plough using

modern technology;

(2) Encouraging big industries and individual competent farmers to make

Government waste land cultivable by using technology;

(3) Encouraging use of land for horticulture, biofuel trees in addition to

agricultural operation and encouraging value based project of its

produce;

(4) Providing employment opportunities to agricultural labourers and skilled

workers.

Overview of the Scheme:

(1) Land as defined ��will be identified in respective districts and will be

leased out on long term to big industrial houses and individual

competent farmers.

�� this class of land includes mountain, desert, etc. This type of land

is scattered and lies amid cultivable land and without expending

too much amount it cannot be brought under cultivation (Source:

Annual Report published by Director of Agriculture on season

and crops.

(2) The scheme will be based on projects having the following special

thrusts:

(A) The project will have water provision in form of drip

or sprinkler system using modern micro-irrigation

technology or other water harvesting method.

(B) It will be planned to use urban solid waste as manure.

(C) The project will provide employment to local workers

with surety of social safety

(3) Industrial houses and individual competent farmers concerned will make

available monetary fund and modern technology.

RESOLUTION:

In view of the preamble, objectives, and overview of the schemes,

Government is hereby pleased to grant aforesaid land to big industrial houses

and individual competent farmers subject to the following conditions nd

procedures:

Conditions :-

(1) Land will be granted on lease for a period of twenty years,

(2) Maximum 2000 acres of land will be leased out for the project,

(3) The Project Implementation must be started within the first five years,

(4) Interest free deposit of Rs.500/- per acre will be taken as guarantee for the

project. Fifty percent of the deposit will be returned with no interest on it

when the certificate of work given by Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation

is produced.

(5) If the project is not implemented within five years’ time, deposit will be

forfeited and the land will be resumed to Government.

(6) From irrigation point of view, micro-irrigation will be provided

compulsorily.

(7) Annual rent will be payable as follows :

a) No rent for the first five years,

b) Rs.40/- per acre for six to ten years,

c) Rs.100/- per acre for eleven to twenty years.

d) Rent will be increased by 50 percent for allied pursuits (value

added product projects).

(8) The lessee shall take prior permission of the collector to mortgage land

and shall invariably observe the following conditions:

a) Land so leased can be mortgaged with nationalized banks,

schedule banks recognized by the Reserve Bank of India and

financial institutions recognized from time to time by the State

Government.

b) One percent of loan will be paid as mortgage fee to the Collector.

c) In the event of default the State Government will have first charge

on recovery of debt.

(9) In the project undertaken by the lessee under this scheme N.A. Permission

will not be required in respect of allied pursuits in agricultural produce.

However, building plan will have to be got approved by the competent

authority. The land will be subject to assessment.