Govt doubles jantri rates across Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: The state government on Saturday issued a circular doubling the jantri, or government Land Value Certificate (LVC), rates for properties and land across the state. The rates were last revised some 12 years ago.
"If the existing jantri value for property is Rs 100 per sq m for a particular area, then according to the new circular issued on Saturday it will be Rs 200 per sq m," the circular stated.
The revised rates, revenue department officials said, will be effective from Sunday. All sale deeds registered from Monday onwards and the ensuing stamp duty collection will comply with the new rates.
"The guidelines pertaining to the implementation of the new 'jantri' values are ready and will be put in public domain shortly," superintendent of stamps Jenu Devan said. The old guidelines will be scrapped with effect from Sunday.
The jantri rates, which are calculated per square metre, were last revised on April 18, 2011. The new rates are being issued under section (3)(2)(a) of the Gujarat Stamp Act 1958, the circular states.
On Saturday, senior officials of the revenue department had met before issuing the circular.
‘Revision due to land value appreciation in villages, towns’
The revenue department cited rapid urban agglomeration, industrialization in the vicinity of cities, and land value appreciation in villages and towns as reasons which led the state government to propose a jantri revision so that citizens benefit from the new government property valuation. The circular, however, mentioned that the procedures which are followed on arriving at a jantri rate for an area will remain unchanged. The procedures are mentioned in the circular on March 31, 2011. The circular has categorically stated that the powers to arrive at a jantri rate for an area and also to solve any dispute that may arise pertaining to rates rest with the superintendent of stamps.