India, Aug. 3 -- In a significant move to decentralise decision-making and speed up development approvals, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has delegated powers to the Chief Secretary and the Divisional Commissioner to approve land-use proposals for development projects in areas outside municipal committees. According to an official spokesperson, the initiative is part of the Union Territory's ongoing pro-people deregulation drive aimed at promoting citizen-centric governance and easing procedural delays. Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor was the sole authority for approving all land-use change proposals outside municipal limits. Under the revised framework, the Divisional Commissioner has been authorised to approve land-use changes for plots measuring more than two kanals and up to four kanals, while the Chief Secretary will clear applications involving land parcels above four kanals and up to two acres. Proposals for land exceeding two acres will continue to require the Lieutenant Governor's approval. Also Read - Gujarat: 22 children die of Chandipura virus this monsoon The move follows an earlier decision on July 8, under which residential, commercial, industrial and mixed-use development on plots up to two kanals was exempted from prior approval requirements. Officials said the new framework addresses regulatory challenges arising from the absence of notified Master Plans and Zonal Development Plans in Ladakh, which had often delayed developmental projects and building permissions. The interim mechanism is expected to provide relief to rural residents by enabling them to build houses, establish commercial establishments, undertake small-scale industrial activities and develop mixed-use properties without unnecessary procedural hurdles. The decision is expected to reduce compliance burdens and improve regulatory clarity.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.