Noida residents want land to be freehold

Noida residents welfare associations, industry bodies and several NGOs on Wednesday held a protest in front of the office of the Noida Authority, demanding conversion of their land from ‘leasehold’ to ‘freehold’.

The protest organised by the Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Associations was also joined by Greater Noida Residents Welfare Association, Federation of Noida Industries, Indian Medical Association, Uttar Pradesh Vyapar Mandal’s Noida wing, Shopkeepers Association.

“Presently, properties in Noida and Greater Noida are on leasehold for 90 years. After expiry of the period, allottees will face problems as they will have to again pay lease amount and get the deed done afresh,” said FONEWA president N P Singh. 

“The Uttar Pradesh government had announced conversion scheme for plots from leasehold to freehold on payment of nominal charges. The Delhi government too has been converting leasehold property to freehold. But Noida and Greater Noida authorities have been refusing conversion saying the scheme is not applicable here,” Singh said.

“The Ghaziabad Development Authority too has been converting property under the scheme,” he said. Noida Entrepreneur Association president Vipin Malhan said, “We have been demanding free hold conversion since decades.”

Uttar Pradesh State Congress Committee spokesperson Dhirendra Singh too extended support to the protesters. Singh, along with his supporters, reached the protest venue and sat on a dharna.

Noida MLA Mahesh Sharma has supported the residents’ demand. Former MLA Nawab Singh Nagar too had raised the demand in the state Assembly.