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The Andhra Pradesh government is considering relaxing rules to regularise encroached house-sites on government land, aiming to make the process more affordable for the poor. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has directed the revenue department to study the issue and propose suitable recommendations. Previous attempts by the YSRC government were hindered by high fees, discouraging participation. The revised plan is likely to introduce nominal fees for plots up to 500 square yards while evaluating each case individually. This move aims to provide legal ownership to long-term occupants and generate state revenue while addressing the housing needs of underprivileged communities.
The Andhra Pradesh government is considering reviving the scheme for regularising encroached house-sites by relaxing existing rules. The revenue department has been tasked with studying the issue and submitting suitable proposals. According to sources, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has directed that house-sites on government land encroached upon by the poor should be regularised. Advertisement
Previously, the YSRC government had introduced a similar scheme to regularise encroachments on government land, but the hefty charges discouraged participation. While house-sites and structures on government land up to 100 square yards were regularised with nominal fees, those exceeding 100 square yards required payment of 50-100% of the market price as a regularisation fee. This steep pricing limited the scheme's appeal among the public.
In many cases, government land in remote areas or on city outskirts was encroached upon by the poor decades ago, with houses constructed on it. Despite being unregistered and technically ineligible for legal transfers, these properties have been subject to property tax collection by local bodies for years. Ownership changes have often been conducted through agreements on stamp paper rather than formal registration. Buyers were attracted to such properties because they were sold at 30-50% below market rates.
However, the hefty fees imposed by the previous administration deterred residents from participating in the regularisation process. Although the fee structure was revised in 2023, the response remained underwhelming.
Following multiple representations made by citizens during the Chief Minister's Praja Darbar, Mr Naidu instructed officials to analyse the issue in detail and make appropriate recommendations. Sources revealed that the Chief Minister has emphasised the need for the revenue department to evaluate each case at the field level before making recommendations for regularisation.
Only unobjectionable encroachments are expected to be considered for regularisation. Nominal fees are likely to be set for plots measuring 150-300 square yards and 300-500 square yards, while land parcels above 500 square yards are unlikely to be included in the scheme.
The decision to relax regularisation rules aims to address the long-standing concerns of the poor who have encroached on government land for residential purposes. By reducing fees and adopting a case-by-case evaluation, the government hopes to encourage greater participation and resolve disputes over such properties.
As the scheme is reviewed and revamped, its success will depend on how effectively the government can balance the interests of the poor with the legal and administrative challenges involved. Affordable regularisation fees, combined with transparency in the process, may pave the way for better housing security for many families while generating revenue for the state.
In conclusion, this move could serve as a significant step toward addressing the housing needs of underprivileged sections. However, careful implementation and a fair approach will be crucial to ensuring its success. By focusing on equitable solutions, the state can provide relief to those residing on encroached lands while adhering to legal and policy frameworks.
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