Uttar Pradesh State Capital Region Bill and Nazul Property Bill passed in the House

Lucknow : On Wednesday, the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed two significant bills: the Uttar Pradesh State Capital Region (SCR) Bill and the Uttar Pradesh Nazul Property 2024 Bill. Both bills, presented by Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna, were approved within the stipulated time frame following their introduction by the Yogi government through an ordinance.

The Uttar Pradesh State Capital Region (SCR) Bill aims to establish a State Capital Region akin to the National Capital Region (NCR). This initiative will encompass Lucknow and its neighboring districts—Unnao, Hardoi, Sitapur, Rae Bareli, and Barabanki—fostering organized and accelerated development in these areas.

Meanwhile, the Nazul Property Bill 2024 seeks to protect Nazul land, mandating its use for public purposes rather than transferring full ownership to private individuals or institutions.

After the passage of these bills, the Assembly was adjourned until Thursday.

The Uttar Pradesh State Capital Region and Other Regional Development Authorities (Formation) Bill-2024 aims to establish the Uttar Pradesh State Capital Regional Development Authority and other Regional Development Authorities. The state government is not proposed to be burdened with expenditures for its formation. The State Capital Region will encompass 27,860 square kilometres across six districts, facilitating rapid development and improving amenities for residents, similar to the National Capital Region (NCR).

The Regional Development Authority will collaborate with relevant development authorities, corporations, local bodies, and various government departments to create a comprehensive regional plan. This plan will focus on promoting overall development and implementing quality infrastructure projects. Both private and public sector infrastructure projects and public facilities within the region will be developed according to the area’s needs. This planned regional development will boost employment across various sectors, including housing, infrastructure, transport, and industry.

Under the Uttar Pradesh Nazul Property Bill, 2024, Nazul lands in the state will no longer be converted into private ownership. Any court proceedings or applications requesting the transfer of full ownership of Nazul land to private individuals or institutions will be cancelled and automatically rejected. In case, payments have been made in anticipation of such ownership changes, the amounts will be refunded with interest calculated at the Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) set by the State Bank of India from the date of deposit.

The government may choose to extend the leases of current leaseholders of Nazul land, provided they are in good standing, regularly paying rent, and have not violated lease terms.

Alternatively, the government may decide to terminate these leases. Once the lease period expires, the land will be free of all encumbrances and will automatically revert to the State Government. Under this Act, Nazul land will be reserved and used exclusively for public purposes.