The Hindu        23.09.2014   

Corporation to recover 541 plots of leased land

Chennai Corporation is all set to retrieve land leased out for the purpose of ‘education, commerce, residence and charity’ in various parts of the city.

Over 825 grounds of Corporation land is under illegal possession after expiry of lease period for 541 pieces of property.

Notices

The civic body will issue notice to all individuals and private associations that occupy and use such land in the old city limits.

The land is usually leased for a maximum period of three years at cheap rates and after the lease period is over, the Corporation takes a call on renewing the lease. However, many lessees have not paid even the low rates demanded of them.

Some of the immovable properties of the Corporation have also been leased out following the request of other government departments, undertakings, corporations and boards.

A number of private associations and individuals started using Corporation land on lease basis as per provisions of section 75 of CCMC Act 1919, prior to 1976. The lease period of all the cases has expired.

The civic body initiated action a few years ago but even the relevant files could not be located.

Some of the individuals or private associations have filed cases in various courts.

Missing records

Initiatives have also been taken to defend the cases. According to Corporation sources, Rs. 98 crore worth of arrears of lease rent is pending. After expiry, the lands continue to be in possession of the original lessee or legal heirs or other persons.

Records pertaining to such lands have also gone missing.

The civic body is set to complete a study of such lands shortly.

The initiative to retrieve the lands will be taken based on the study.

The plots, whose lease has expired, were allotted for education, commerce, residence and charity

Nearly Rs. 98 crore worth of arrears of lease rent is pending