Urban Land Ceiling Act to go

NEW DELHI, Dec 29 (UNI) — The Union Cabinet today decided to bring forth an ordinance to repeal the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976, to facilitate development and disposal of excess vacant land for various purposes, particularly housing.

Consequently, this will mean obtaining permission for withdrawal of the Bill pending in the Lok Sabha and for introducing a modified Bill for ratification of the ordinance by Parliament.

An official spokesman said several benefits would accrue with the amendment of the Act. The state governments would have the liberty to enact their own legislation according to requirement.

The spokesperson said there would be speedy growth in sectors such as housing, industry, transport and other infrastructure due to free availability of land.

This would also attract investment for housing and other related sectors such as cement and steel. The increased housing activity would consequently boost employment in the country.

The ordinance, which would be drafted shortly, was decided upon by the government since Parliament was not in session and there was urgency for the same.

A standing committee of Parliament to which the repeal Bill was referred had recently recommended that the Act could be scrapped to ensure easy availability of land at cheaper rates.

The Cabinet also cleared the proposal for enhancing patient care allowance (PCA) to health karmcharis of central and Delhi-government-run hospitals and dispensaries from Rs 70 to Rs 700 across the board.

This was announced by Union Health Minister Dalit Ezhilmalai soon after the Cabinet meeting here.

Over 75,000 employees of group ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ went on casual leave en masse yesterday demanding immediate implementation of the accord signed between them and the government to this effect in July this year.