This story is from February 27, 2020

MP govt to generate income from state owned properties

MP govt to generate income from state owned properties
Chief minister Kamal Nath during cabinet meetings had instructed the department to maintain and utilise the properties in their possession to generate income (File photo)
BHOPAL: The cash-strapped Congress government in Madhya Pradesh is planning to generate income from government owned unused land and properties. The government is also eyeing the spacious circuit houses and bungalows under the public works department (PWD) and irrigation department, apart from properties of state roadways and those in other states, to generate revenue.
Chief secretary SR Monahty has shot a missive to all the department heads to prepare a detailed list of properties in their possession or encroached by outsiders, in dilapidated condition or left unused, so that income could be generated through them to meet out department expenses.
The details were to be submitted by March 10, said sources in Mantralaya.
"We have huge spacious circuit house, rest house and buildings in every district of Madhya Pradesh. We have also properties in other states which are lying unused, dilapidated or encroached by locals. Now, they will be utilised to generate income. We will auction some properties if necessary, rent out if possible and also offer public private participation (PPP) for the use of the property to generate revenue or regular income," state PWD minister Sajjan Singh Verma told TOI.
Chief minister Kamal Nath during cabinet meetings had instructed the department to maintain and utilise the properties in their possession to generate income. "Properties owned by the state government should be utilised and income should be generated. the departments must prepare an account of all assets and keep a record to monitor the utilisation of the properties. Action should also be taken against mafia who has encroached upon government properties," Nath had said during review meeting of PWD.
The state also owns huge land bank in possession of state roadways offices in Bhopal, Indore, Chhatarpur, Guna, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Seoni and Balaghat. There are properties and unused land worth crores of rupees in cities like Mumbai, Nagpur, Jhansi and Agra which are either lying unused or dilapidated or encroached upon by land mafia. The government has prepared a detailed list of the assets, some of which would be auctioned or rented out to big industry houses.

The finance department has suggested to sell out properties in possession of state roadways to clear the dues of employees retired from the then state transport corporation, which was closed down due to financial crisis in May 2008. The revenue generated from the sale of the property would be used to pay salaries, dearness allowance, retirement benefit and other dues of the employees.
"Several properties in possession of the state government are lying unused as they could not be maintained. We will auction some of the expensive properties to generate big revenue and settle dues of the department. We will prepare the plan within a week's period," state public relations minister PC Sharma told TOI.
The government will also renovate and provide some properties to other departments who sans buildings, land and other basic infrastructure for in-house purpose. The government has asked to prepare a detailed list of all such immovable assets, said the minister.
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