Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Passes
Key Revenue Reform Bills
The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly has passed two
significant bills aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and optimizing
the utilization of government land. These bills include the Maharashtra Land
Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill and the Maharashtra Stamp (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
Under these reforms, the use of unutilized pasture land (known as 'Gairan'
land) located in urban areas has been permitted for public development
projects; additionally, provisions have been made to expedite the Stamp Duty
refund process.
Maharashtra Land Revenue Code (Amendment)
Bill and the Utilization of Pasture Land
¨
Under the Maharashtra
Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill, Municipal Corporations and Municipal
Councils have been authorized to utilize unutilized pasture land for public
works. These land parcels are commonly referred to as 'Gairan'
land—government-owned grazing lands that often lie unutilized within urban
limits.
¨
Following the amendment,
these lands can now be utilized for public interest activities such as road
construction, infrastructure development, and the creation of community
facilities. However, the ownership of these lands will remain vested with the
State Government; they will not be permanently transferred to the local bodies.
Pasture Land Available for Development
Projects
According to government estimates, a substantial
amount of pasture ('Gairan') land in Maharashtra can now be utilized for development
projects. A significant portion of these lands is situated within the
jurisdictions of Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils, though their
utilization was previously restricted.
According to state officials,
approximately:
¨
7,700 hectares of land in
Municipal Corporation areas;
¨
4,000 hectares of land in
Municipal areas; and
¨
Approximately 3,000
hectares of land in Municipal Council areas
can potentially be utilized for public projects. This
will facilitate a more efficient utilization of land resources for
infrastructure development across the state.
Rules and Conditions for the Utilization
of Pasture Land
¨
The government has
clarified that the utilization of pasture land will be governed by strict rules
and regulations. Local bodies shall utilize this land exclusively for
activities related to the public interest; it shall not be used for commercial
purposes.
¨
Prior to undertaking any
development work, the processes of land surveying, documentation, and the
removal of encroachments must be completed. Furthermore, the prior approval of
the District Collector of the concerned district shall be mandatory, and the
land shall continue to be recorded in government records specifically as
'Collector's Land.'
Maharashtra Stamp Amendment Bill, 2026:
Aimed at Expediting the Refund Process
¨
Alongside the Land Reform
Bill, the Legislative Assembly has also passed the Maharashtra Stamp Amendment
Bill, 2026. The objective of this legislation is to expedite the processing of
stamp duty refund applications.
¨ Previously, under Section 52A of the Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958, officials were authorized to approve refunds only up to an amount of ₹20 lakh; cases involving amounts exceeding this limit had to be referred to the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority.
¨ Under the new amendment, this process has been decentralized, thereby enabling the resolution of the majority of cases at the district and regional levels.
