Repeal of Maharasthra land ceiling act not enough to solve urban crisis
The Maharashtra government recently moved a resolution in the state assembly to repeal the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act (ulcra), 1976. It will be taken up in the monsoon session of the assembly. Repeal of laws restricting land ownership is one of the requirements for states whose cities have been selected for fast-track development under the Centre's Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (jnnurm). The axe has fallen on ulcra.
The centre's decision to make jnnurm funds contingent upon the repeal of urban land ceiling act has, however, raised many eyebrows. Justifiably so. The legislation was enacted during the emergency, but it had the consent of all states. Land was