The Delhi Urban Land and Immovable Property Records Bill, 2024

The Delhi Urban Land and Immovable Property Records Bill, 2024, aims to create a unified system for managing urban land and immovable property records in Delhi. This system will be overseen by the Delhi Urban Land and Immovable Property Records Authority (DULIPRA), chaired by Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (L-G). The bill addresses the current fragmented approach to land record management by consolidating responsibilities under a single authority.

Present Scenario: Currently, land and property records in Delhi are managed by various entities under different laws:

• Revenue Department: Maintains record of rights (RoR) for village lands.
• Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC): Handle property tax records.
• Delhi Development Authority (DDA): Manages records for land it has acquired.
• Land and Development Office (L&DO): Oversees central government lands and rehabilitation colonies.
• Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954: Governs rural land records but excludes urbanized villages and certain lands.
• Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887: Applies to agricultural lands and provides details like khasra numbers and khatauni.

Proposal Under the Bill:

• Delhi Urban Land and Immovable Property Records Authority (DULIPRA):
• Composition: Chaired by Delhi L-G, with members from DDA, MCD, NDMC, Delhi Cantonment Board, L&DO, and the Delhi government’s Revenue Department.
• Functions:
• Frame guidelines for urban land records.
• Survey all urban areas and properties.
• Conduct inquiries into property rights.
• Enforce penalties for concealment of information under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
• Urban RoR:
• A new urban RoR will include details on landholders, occupants, owners, mortgagees, and government lessees, along with their interests and liabilities.

Objectives of the Bill:

• Digitalization of Records & Dispute Resolution:
• Digitization: To ensure accuracy and reliability, making property records easily accessible.
• Legal Backing: Providing a legal framework for digital records to minimize disputes and fraud.
• Efficient Management, Transparency, & Accessibility:
• Online Portal: Making property records accessible to the public to enhance transparency and reduce bureaucratic delays.

Significance:

• Better Planning and Management:
• Urban Planning: Accurate and detailed land records are crucial for effective urban planning. As noted in NITI Aayog’s 2021 report, aligning spatial plans with land records is vital for successful implementation.
• Easy Dispute Resolution:
• Clear Records: Comprehensive and centralized records will simplify taxation and resolve disputes more efficiently.
• Unified System:
• One Authority: The bill will consolidate all urban land and property records under DULIPRA, covering all notified urban areas within Delhi’s boundaries.

Legal and Constitutional Context:

• Land Control: Under Article 239AA of the Constitution, land management in Delhi is a central subject, with control shared between the L-G and the Chief Minister. The proposed bill aligns with this framework by centralizing record management while respecting existing control structures.

Challenges and Considerations:

• Implementation: The transition to a unified system involves significant administrative effort and coordination among various existing authorities.
• Data Integration: Integrating diverse records into a single digital system will require meticulous planning and execution to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Public Access: Ensuring that the online portal is user-friendly and accessible to all residents will be crucial for the success of the initiative.

Overall, the Delhi Urban Land and Immovable Property Records Bill, 2024, represents a significant step toward modernizing and streamlining land record management in Delhi, aiming to enhance transparency, efficiency, and planning capabilities in urban development.