In a significant decision that is likely to fill its coffers, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved sharp increase in lease rent on private properties given during the British period.
The state is expecting "hundreds of crores of rupees" in revenue from the revised rent on lease properties given during the British Raj, state Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters after the cabinet meeting here.
Giving an example, Chavan said with the decision to hike lease rent, Rs 17.71 rent (payable under old lease rates charged by the British Raj) will approximately go upto Rs 3.4 lakh (through ready reckoner) for the 570 sq km land while for the 3,070 sq meter land, the rent will go up from Rs 74.49 to Rs 33 lakh. To a question on what would be the government's strategy if the decision is again challenged in court, Chavan said people cannot be stopped from moving the courts. There are several properties on government land given on long lease by the British for period varying from 50 to 99 to 999 years, he said.