Maharashtra Government Scraps Mandatory ‘NA’ Permission Requirement for Land Construction
Maharashtra Government Scraps Mandatory ‘NA’ Permission Requirement for Land Construction
State government ends separate Collector approval for residential and commercial construction, introduces conversion premium instead
The Maharashtra government has taken a major decision that will bring significant relief to citizens, builders and housing societies across the state. The mandatory requirement of obtaining ‘NA’ (Non-Agricultural) permission for residential and commercial construction has now been abolished.
A government order regarding this change has been issued, marking an important amendment in the Maharashtra Land Revenue Act. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced the decision after the suggestion of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Until now, anyone planning construction on land was required to first convert it from agricultural status to non-agricultural status by taking separate approval from the District Collector. Only after paying NA tax and completing this process could construction layouts and building plans be approved.
However, under the new rule, citizens will no longer need to approach the Collector’s office for NA permission. Instead, construction approvals will now be processed directly through the Town Planning Department or the local authority.
The government has introduced a new system where applicants will have to pay a one-time lump sum ‘Conversion Premium’ while applying for building permission. This will replace the earlier lengthy and repetitive procedure.
One of the biggest outcomes of this move is the complete abolition of non-agricultural tax. Earlier, landowners had to pay NA tax every year, while local bodies also charged property tax, leading to long-standing dissatisfaction over double taxation. With NA tax now removed, citizens are expected to receive direct financial relief.
The decision is also expected to benefit hundreds of housing societies and associations. Many societies had to repeatedly follow up with Collector offices for permissions, causing delays and administrative burden. The simplified process is likely to speed up approvals and reduce unnecessary hurdles.
At the same time, housing federations have pointed out that further clarity is needed regarding societies that had already obtained NA status earlier. The government is expected to issue additional guidance after further review.
Overall, the move is being seen as a major reform aimed at easing construction-related processes and improving transparency while reducing harassment caused by complex land conversion rules.
