Nod for change of land use must even after conversion of agricultural land for other purposes: HC

Interpreting the laws on land conversion and change of land use in areas covered under master plans of the local planning authorities across the State, the High Court of Karnataka has declared that pe

Interpreting the laws on land conversion and change of land use in areas covered under master plans of the local planning authorities across the State, the High Court of Karnataka has declared that permission for change of land use under the Karnataka Town and Country Planning (KTCP) Act, 1961, is mandatory even after conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes under the Karnataka Land Revenue (KLR) Act, 1964.

“Grant of conversion from agriculture to non-agricultural purposes by the Deputy Commissioner under Section 95 of the KLR Act will not mean that change of land use under Section 14A of the KTCP Act is granted, deemed to be granted or automatically granted, if the land still vests with the planning authority and comes within the master plan,” the court said while interpreting provisions of both the Acts.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna delivered the verdict on a petition filed by the Karnataka Rajya Mandavya Gruha Nirmana Sahakara Sangha, Mandya. The petitioner had questioned refusal of Mandya Urban Development Authority to approve plan for the petitioner’s housing layout in the absence of permission for change of land use after conversion of land purchased by the petitioner for the formation of layout.