Gujarat govt may delay new jantri rates beyond April 1

GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat govt has reportedly decided to defer the implementation of the proposed annual statement of rates – 2024, commonly known as jantri rates, beyond April 1 this year, sources close to the department said.
The draft of the proposed annual statement of rates – 2024 was put in the public domain, and the govt received a large number of objections and suggestions over the past three months on the proposed rates.
"Implementation of the new rates, which reflect a major hike in the valuation of land, is likely to be postponed by a few months due to political and administrative considerations," top sources in the govt revealed. The govt's consideration of persistent opposition from citizens and the real estate industry over new jantri rates is also a likely reason.
It was earlier believed that the govt was intent on implementing new jantri rates from April 1, 2025. "However, it appears as if the govt is keen on adopting a conservative approach and will delay the implementation by a few months," sources informed.
Proposed jantri rates higher compared to 2023
After doubling the 2011 jantri rates in early 2023, the state govt in November 2024 put the new valuation of jantri rates in the public domain. These proposed rates were higher by five times to 2000 times compared to the 2023 rates. The govt earlier gave people time until December 20, 2024, to provide their objections and suggestions, but this deadline was extended to January 20, 2025.
A final decision on the new jantri is pending since, and there was a strong buzz that new jantri rates will come into force from April 1, 2025. "Moreover, the govt has announced 2025-26 as urban development year, and increasing jantri rates could overshadow various projects planned, so there is a strong possibility that new jantri rate implementation could be deferred to the next calendar year," said sources, who added that a decision on postponing new jantri rate implementation will be taken in the next few days.
The govt has projected a significant hike in its revenue from stamp duty and registration fees for the year 2025-26. The state administration has forecast a Rs 3,300 crore surge in revenue from stamp duty and registration fees for the year 2025-26 in the state budget.
Compared to a revised estimate of Rs 16,500 crore income from stamp duty and registration fees for the current financial year (2024-25), the state govt's budgetary estimate of income from stamp duty and registration fees for the year 2025-26 has been pegged at Rs 19,800 crore.