Haryana allowed easy conversion of residential property into commercial

After leading a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Khattar disclosed that a multitude of meticulously planned initiatives, encompassing rehabilitation and town planning schemes, have been executed within urban municipalities over the years. These endeavors aimed to foster structured urban development. Following their implementation, the responsibility for their management and upkeep was handed over to the respective municipal bodies. Nevertheless, evolving circumstances have spurred property owners to repurpose residential plots for non-residential applications, contrary to the initial permits.

In response, there arose a compelling need to institute regulations and procedures to govern these transformations, as stated by the chief minister. The policy will be applicable to planned schemes situated within the central zones of municipal limits, with the exception of areas or sectors developed by entities like Haryana Shahri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), Housing Board (Haryana), Haryana State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation, and those overseen by the Town and Country Planning Department (Haryana). It will also extend to plots that have been allowed to be subdivided under various other government policies and regulations.

Crucially, the parameters such as Floor Area Ratio (FAR), ground coverage, and plot height will remain consistent with the original residential scheme. Moreover, the building lines of the original plan will be maintained.

According to the official statement, individuals seeking conversion will be required to submit an application via an online portal developed by the Urban Local Bodies Department. This process will necessitate the payment of a scrutiny fee of ₹10 per square meter, conversion charges in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Department’s notification, and development charges amounting to 5 percent of the commercial collector rate per square meter. Additionally, a composition fee of ₹160 per square meter will be levied on the converted area.

The policy is anticipated to bring about benefits for both property owners and the government. Property owners will gain the ability to convert their residential plots into commercial ventures, thereby expanding their economic prospects. Simultaneously, the government stands to accrue revenue from conversion charges and development fees. Furthermore, the policy’s enforcement is set to enhance the regulation of commercial activities within planned areas, contributing to superior urban planning and development.

Municipalities will be tasked with conducting surveys to detect unauthorized commercial conversions and mapping out road rights-of-way and affected plots. Subsequently, property owners engaged in such unauthorized conversions will receive notices, allowing a grace period of 30 days to restore the property to its original status or to initiate the regularization process. Non-compliance could result in legal actions, encompassing the sealing or demolition of structures.

Should a property fail to secure regularization or not apply for the process, municipalities may undertake actions such as restoring the building to its original state, enforcing compliance with building parameters, or canceling licenses and permissions.

In another cabinet resolution, the government sanctioned a comprehensive policy aimed at regularizing unauthorized constructions and granting new permissions for constructing first floors or basements, or both, in single-level booths, shops, and service booths allocated by municipalities or Town Improvement Trusts within municipal limits. This policy applies across all municipalities in the state of Haryana and caters specifically to single-level booths, shops, and service booths, facilitating the regularization of pre-existing unauthorized constructions, including basements and first floors.

Additionally, the cabinet approved a series of substantial relief measures designed to support the dependents of deceased police personnel. The cabinet, in an ex-post facto decision, ratified the appointment of 50 dependents of deceased police personnel to the rank of clerk under the Haryana Civil Services (Compassionate Financial Assistance of Appointment) Rules of 2019.