The Times of India             19.08.2013

House agrees for hike in rent and mutation fee of LMC properties

LUCKNOW: The house meeting of LMC on Sunday gave a nod to the long pending proposal of increasing rent and mutation fee of the corporation's properties by 4-50%, depending on the rent slab. The proposal was floated in October last year and a sub-committee was formed for review.

The rentals of age-old properties of LMC that were given out to people at nominal rates would be revised based on current DM circle rate of that location, which is revised every two years. There are 2000 such properties in Lucknow, both residential and commercial that would come under the ambit of this change.

It would impact those the most who are second or third-hand owners and have taken possession of these rented properties from the original ones without getting officially registered in LMC records. Such unofficial transfers are illegal. Secondary owners are liable to pay a one-time mutation fee depending on the type of the property and their relationship with the owner.

As per the 2001 policy, the blood relatives or legal heirs who have taken possession of rented properties from original owners are liable to pay Rs 15000 -20,000 as mutation fee in case of residential properties. For commercial properties, they would pay Rs 60,000 for shops in prime locations like Hazratganj, Lalbagh, Aminabad, Kaiserbagh, Charbagh etc and Rs 40,000 for other areas.

Similarly, occupiers other than legal heirs would have to pay Rs 30,000-40,000 for residential properties and Rs 1,20,000 for commercial properties in the above mentioned prime locations while Rs 80,000 in other areas.

Officials claim that it is the illegal occupiers who would be troubled the most as they have to pay a heavier fee as compared to blood-related kith and kin. As per LMC records, there would be more than 200 such properties. LMC has maximum number of rented properties in areas like Aminabad, Mahanagar, Charbagh, Aishbagh, Kaiserbagh, and Niralanagar.

Few tenants of LMC properties in Gurunanak market of Charbagh were found to be flouting norms and changing the structure of the building. The tenants either encroached the surrounding area or converted residential units into shops. It has been decided that these structures would be identified and their allotment would be canceled. If the owners need to change the format or usage of a property, he needs to take approval from the municipal commissioner. Besides, LMC staff has been instructed to vacate their quarters within six months of retirement.

The house also discussed the issue of the display of tree-guards and flower pots on road dividers. Due to difference of opinion, mayor instructed municipal commissioner to consult traffic department and decide proper width of the dividers (60 cm or one metre) and tree guards to ensure greenery and road safety.

The house also debated ongoing road cutting work by Reliance Jio Infocomm to lay 4G cable wires underground across city. The exercise is said to have damaged many basic underlying services of water and sewer pipelines across city, apart from destroying the roads. Unlike other private telecom operators who deposit restoration money for entire road undergoing construction, Reliance Jio Infocomm had deposited bank guarantee with LMC. There was consensus in the meeting that company should pay restoration fee for the entire road. Its bank guarantee will be returned.

The company has also demanded land from LMC to make towers (3x3 sqmt) for CCTV coverage at 143 sites within municipal limits. A total of 12,000 sq feet land would be required for this. The company has decided to pay an annual rent of about 1.75 lakh to LMC for these towers. The house agreed on this proposal.Apart from these, the mayor instructed officials to remove illegal parking in a park of Bhootnath, on being recommended by a corporator. Also, the Balaganj road and Kanchan Bihari Marg have been proposed for repair from government's Samagra Vikas Yojna. If funds are not provided, LMC will get the roads constructed through its own sources. Mayor instructed to allocate additional Rs 5 crore from 13th finance commission for installation of new and repair of old water pumps and tube-wells of certain wards which have been grappling with water-crisis.