AMC collects impact fee for two houses built on government land

Officials from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) have faced allegations of collusion and misconduct from members of a co-operative housing society located in the Ghatlodia ward.

They claim that officials from the North West Zone of AMC improperly collected impact fees for two houses that were constructed unlawfully on government land by misrepresenting their association with the society. On December 22, 2024, society members submitted an appeal to the Appellate Authority in Gandhinagar under the Gruda Act, 2022.

The appeal, initiated by Natwarlal Panchal, a member of the Devmandir Co-operative Housing Society, and supported by the signatures of eight additional members, asserts that impact fees were unlawfully collected for the two houses erected on government land designated for deduction in May 2024.

They requested the annulment of these impact fee applications and provided evidence indicating that the buildings were inaccurately represented as part of their society. The complaint articulates: “The constructions of House No. 68 and House No. 67 on Final Plot No. 59 of TP Number 1 in Chandlodia, which is situated within the Ghatlodia ward of Ahmedabad city, were regularised through the collection of an impact fee under the Gujarat Regularisation of Unauthorised Development Act, 2022 (Gruda Act–2022).

The regularisation order specifically references ‘Devmandir Co-operative Housing Society’ and ‘Final Plot No. 60,’ yet a thorough examination of the society’s revenue records reveals that the two houses are not situated on the total 8114 m2 of land of Final Plot No. 60 owned by Devmandir Co-operative Housing Society.”

Additionally, the society members have called for legal proceedings against three officials from the North West Zone office of AMC due to their purported collusion. To date, five hearings have been conducted, with the most recent occurring on December 25 of the previous year. The complaint further emphasizes:

A significant aspect is that the land was allocated to the government, and as per Form F, the collector’s rights are also noted on this land. Given these circumstances, the regularisation of a private residence is both illegal and questionable.