When V. Ravikumar wanted to buy a piece of land in the temple town of Kancheepuram, his native place, he found a ‘panchayat-approved’ housing plot being offered at Rs. 4.50 lakh. He has so far paid nearly Rs. 3 lakh in instalments.
Then came the shocker. He cannot register the plot in his name as the Madras High Court has banned registration of sites unless they form part of a layout approved by top planning bodies such as the Chennai Metropolitan Development Corporation and the Directorate of Town and Country Planning.
“Since the High Court order last Friday, there is confusion among layout promoters, property buyers, and even staff in the sub-registrar office who have no idea about the specific provision,” Mr. Ravikumar said.
There are many more like him across the State.
Issues in real estate:
 | When small investors lose the plot | Several thousands of families have purchased ‘panchayat-approved’ plots. The term itself is wrong in the first place as panchayats are not authorised to approve layouts. |
| Responsible buying is the key: activists | Buyers too must be responsible and check for planning compliance before buying plots of land, say activists. |
| ‘Non-notification of amendment, a deliberate act on part of govt.’ | A provision prevents registration of sale deeds relating to plots in unapproved layouts, was introduced by way of an amendment in 2008. |
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