Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Pushes For Lower Amalgamation Charges, Green Building Expansion

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday, June 14 had urged the city’s infrastructure reforms task force to reassess and bring down the steep amalgamation charges levied on commercial plots, a move aimed at making Delhi more attractive for investors. During a high-level meeting on Saturday, she also pressed for the policy framework to extend to residential plots, advocating for a unified and investor-friendly approach across the board.

“There’s an urgent need to streamline and simplify how business is done in Delhi,” Gupta said at the meeting. “A robust single-window clearance system must be effectively implemented to ensure that processes are seamless, efficient, and pro-investment,” as quoted by various media reports.

What are Amalgamation Charges?

Amalgamation charges are the fees imposed when two or more adjoining land parcels are officially merged into one. This legal process results in a single, larger property under unified ownership. The charges typically cover administrative costs, approvals, and documentation required to formalise the consolidation.

Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, senior officials from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the registrar of co-operative societies, and representatives from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) had attended the meeting

Gupta called for standardised development control norms across civic bodies and time-bound approvals for large-scale ventures. These reforms, she said, are vital for driving economic growth in the capital.

In a significant pivot, Gupta reviewed the current green building policy and directed that it no longer be limited to commercial structures. “Sustainable development must reflect in every part of Delhi homes and high-rises alike,” she said. The policy, she instructed, should now include residential properties, nudging the city toward a more inclusive model of eco-conscious urban planning.

The task force was also tasked with identifying and removing bureaucratic roadblocks that hinder entrepreneurs. Gupta asked the panel to submit a report on automating business-related procedures and introducing digital reforms, complete with specific implementation timelines.

A report tabled by the task force laid out several crucial suggestions. Among them: slashing amalgamation charges for commercial plots, eliminating the need for revised layout plans in MCD areas, expanding the green building policy, rationalising property tax structures, and making better use of land allotted to DMRC, as per media reports.

The panel also suggested reducing Floor Area Ratio (FAR) requirements for hotels and other commercial properties, and encouraging slum redevelopment projects under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.Gupta wrapped up the meeting by underlining the urgency of a final report from the task force focused on cutting red tape and boosting ease of doing business in Delhi.ReplyForward

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