The Maharashtra government has decided to extend its special amnesty scheme for nazul land conversions by another year, offering continued relief to thousands of leaseholders in Nagpur and Amravati divisions. The extension was approved following sustained efforts by Nagpur Central MLA Pravin Datke, who cited strong public response and significant revenue generation as key reasons for continuing the scheme.
The decision was formalized in a meeting chaired by state revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule at the state legislature on Thursday. The scheme, which was initially launched on March 16, 2024, allows individuals occupying nazul land under lease for residential purposes to convert those leases into permanent Class-1 ownership rights. This conversion is made available at a substantially reduced premium rate of 2% of the current market value—down from the earlier 5%.
Officials present at the meeting highlighted the economic and administrative rationale behind the decision. Between 2019 and 2024, when the premium rate for conversion stood at 5%, the state managed to generate around ₹9 crore in revenue. However, since the introduction of the reduced 2% rate under the special scheme, the state has collected ₹24.65 crore in just a single year. The sharp increase in uptake and corresponding revenue growth were seen as strong indicators of the scheme’s success and relevance.
Speaking after the meeting, MLA Datke recalled his earlier push for the policy in 2024 when he was serving as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. He emphasized that the scheme had addressed a long-standing issue for residents who had been living on leased nazul land for decades without secure ownership rights. “It has given genuine relief to common citizens holding nazul plots for residential use,” he noted, while also thanking Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister Bawankule for their support.
The extension means leaseholders who were unable to avail themselves of the conversion due to procedural delays or lack of awareness will now get another opportunity. The scheme was originally set to conclude on July 31, 2025, but will now remain in force until mid-2026. It applies exclusively to residential plots under nazul land in the Nagpur and Amravati divisions, where land ownership issues have historically been a source of legal and administrative uncertainty.
Senior officials, including district collectors and divisional commissioners, attended the meeting and agreed that the amnesty drive had struck a balance between citizen welfare and state revenue interests. A senior revenue officer present stated that the measure was a “win-win” that simplified ownership while improving compliance and registry formalities. Many beneficiaries are now able to access loans, mortgages, and resale options due to their upgraded land titles.
Nazul land refers to government-owned land typically leased for various uses. Over time, many leaseholders had developed these plots for residential use but lacked full ownership rights, leading to legal ambiguities and restrictions in property transactions. The state’s decision to regularize such leases through a one-time amnesty approach is being seen as a progressive administrative reform.
Local officials have been directed to streamline documentation and ensure minimal bureaucratic delays during the conversion process. Information campaigns and ward-level assistance centers are also expected to be deployed to improve awareness and facilitate faster processing.
The extended scheme is likely to benefit thousands more families in the coming year, especially in peri-urban and core city areas where nazul lands constitute a significant share of the residential fabric. With the revenue department committing to simplified procedures and fixed timelines, the state expects another round of strong public participation during this extended window.
