Environmental Group Concerned Over Relaxation of Rules for Converting Agricultural Land to Non-Agricultural Use

Serious concerns have been expressed by the environmental conservation organisation 'Poovulgin Nanbargal' over recent amendments made to the rules for converting agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes in Tamil Nadu. According to a report by The Hindu, the organisation believes that the new changes may weaken the rigorous scrutiny process followed while granting permission for land conversion.

The state government's Housing and Urban Development Department, via a G.O. (Government Order) on Wednesday, amended the 'Tamil Nadu Change of Land Use (from Agricultural to Non-Agricultural Purposes in Non-Planning Areas) Rules, 2017'. Poovulgin Nanbargal stated in a release that the government is continuously taking steps to simplify the processes for converting agricultural land. The organisation specifically questioned the fact that previously, it was mandatory for the District Collector to personally visit the land and examine various factors before granting approval, but this requirement has now been removed.

According to the revised rules, applications for developing wetlands for non-agricultural purposes must now be submitted through a single window portal. It is mandatory to attach several documents with this application, including copies of sale or lease deeds, pattas, site drainage plans, site plans and proposed layouts, and subdivision or building plans.

Additionally, applicants must upload a topographic plan showing existing developments within a 500-metre radius. Along with this, an online affidavit must be provided stating that the proposal does not include any government, poramboke, or third-party land. The applicant must also present copies of Chitta and Adangal records for the last 3 fasli years, including the current year.

Under the revised Rule 4, in the case of wetlands, the Director of Town and Country Planning is required to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOC) from the Revenue Divisional Officer, the Joint Director of Agriculture, and the Executive Engineer of the Water Resources Department. However, Poovulgin Nanbargal has stated that this revised process relies more on documents and self-certified declarations uploaded by the applicants, which is unacceptable.

The organisation further added that although there is a provision to obtain NOCs from three different departments, there is insufficient clarity on which officials will conduct the physical inspection of the land. Poovulgin Nanbargal criticised the government's haste and alleged that agricultural lands are being made available to private parties in the name of industrial development.