CHANDIGARH: The UT administration has planned to push for conversion of leasehold properties into freehold in Industrial Area, phases I and II, before the ministry of home affairs (MHA) next month.
Sources said the administration will take up the issue with the ministry, with a senior official pointing out that they are already working on it.
Last year before the coronavirus lockdown was enforced, the matter was discussed in the meeting chaired by UT adviser Manoj Parida with members of Industrial Advisory Committee of Chandigarh.
The administration had last converted leasehold plots into freehold in 1983 in commercial category.
The matter was also taken by up MP Kirron Kher with the MHA and the ministry of urban development.
Industrialists have been demanding for conversion of leasehold property into freehold and leasehold to leasehold in Industrial Area for long.
Recently, the administration had even conducted a survey in Industrial Area for checking leasehold plots.
The administration had set up phases I and II of Industrial Area during the 1970s on an area measuring 147 acres.
The plots are governed by zoning and architectural control, which were prepared according to conditions prevailing at that time.
There are 1,884 plots in both phases, of which 700 are 1 kanal and above, while there are 443 and 180 plots measuring 10 and 15 marla, respectively.
There are as many as 381 plots of 5 marla.
Recently the UT had sought a report of violations in industrial plots, including leasehold and freehold.
The report was later prepared by the estate office and put up before the committee formed to address pending demands of industrialists of the city.
Thereafter, certain need-based changes in the architectural controls in accordance with modern day industrial requirements were allowed.
The UT had said cycle stands could be used for other purposes such as storage of raw material and other industrial related functions.
In addition to these changes, the UT had also stated that in wake of theft incidents in industrial areas and requirements of industry, partial covering of central courtyard with poly carbonate sheets for storage only was also allowed, subject to compliance of building bylaws and Fire no objection certificate from competent authority of the municipal corporation.