 "HDIL to garner Rs 750 cr from Mumbai land deals")
With an eye on the Assembly polls due next year, the Congress government in Uttarakhand has decided to reduce land circle rates in urban and peri-urban areas by around 50%.
At a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Harish Rawat yesterday, the state Cabinet gave its nod to a proposal recommending about 50% reduction in land circle rates, revising its own decision taken in January this year, an official release said.
The state government had effected an increase of 10-30% in land circle rates in January this year, drawing flak from a number of quarters and Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, which has since been demanding revision of circle rates to bring relief to the common man.
Circle rate is the minimum value fixed for land, house and other real estate transactions.
Chief Secretary Shatrughna Singh said it will give relief not only to the common man but also to builders and realtors.
The move is seen as another populist decision by the state government with an eye on the state Assembly elections due in early 2017.
After being reinstated to power, the Harish Rawat government has held a slew of Cabinet meetings to take decisions intended to please the masses, including regularisation of guest teachers.
