Shimla, July 3: National-level political parties, social organisations, employees associations and welfare boards of various communities can now seek grant of government land up to maximum of one bigha on lease from the state government for construction of office building. The notification in this regard was issued yesterday by the Revenue Department. These rules will be called the Himachal Pradesh Lease (Amendment) Rules, 2017 paving the way for amendment to the Himachal Pradesh Lease Rules 2013.
The political parties, only the ones recognized by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and having a minimum of 17 legislators in the state Assembly, can seek grant of land from the government. Even though many charitable and welfare associations could benefit from this amendment it is primarily the two main political parties of the Congress and the BJP, which stand to benefit from this amendment.
With Himachal basically having only these two main political players, both can now seek land for setting up of their offices at all the district headquarters. However, the notification will also benefit charitable institutions or employees bodies who cannot afford to spend huge amounts on purchase of land. Though both the Congress and the BJP have their offices here in the state capital on the Cart Road and in Chakkar, respectively, they do not have office in every district headquarter.
“The main objective is to facilitate office accommodation to all such political parties and organisations so that they can meet their social obligations,” revealed an official of the Revenue Department. There is provision to provide land to such parties and organisations for strictly office purpose at district headquarters subject to availability of land. Though there are several national level political parties like AAP, BSP and the NCP which can claim presence in Himachal the amendment comes with a rider so that there is no misuse of this amendment.
“Only those political parties which have a minimum of one fourth strength (17) in the Assembly (68) can apply for getting land on lease at the time of applying. They will have to provide a certificate as proof of their presence on the last three elections from the ECI,” the notification reads. In case a political party ceases to exist, the allotted land along with the infrastructure created thereon shall be resumed by the government.
In the case of a split in any political party, the office and land would remain with the faction which retains the original party symbol by a court of law or the Election Commission of India. There is a provision to cancel or rescind the land in case the allottee fails to pay the lease rent, fails to build the structure within two years after approval of building plan or in case it violates the lease terms and conditions. They will also have to submit their project report and building plan while applying for grant of land.
Source Tribune India
