Karnataka eyes Rs 2,800 crore from sale of govt land

"Since the market conditions are showing signs of improvement, it is expected that in the next year, better realisation can be achieved from the sale of land, the target for the year 2010-11 is kept at Rs 2,800 crore," the Medium Term Fiscal Plan (MTFP) 2009-13, tabled in the assembly early this week, said.

The MTFP 2009-13 had anticipated revenues of Rs 1,900 crore from land sale in the current fiscal, but not more than Rs 100 crore could be realised due to the slump in property prices brought in by the slowdown.

"It is expected that in 2009-10, not more than Rs 100 crore will be realised," the MTFP said. "Hence, there will be a shortfall of Rs 1,800 crore."

The MTFP 2010-14 also said that during the current financial year, the Central government revised royalty rates on major minerals and, as a result, the revenue projections for royalty receivable by the State in the next year is expected to increase by 40 per cent.

"Although, the demand in the international market for these minerals is still subdued, an upward trend in prices for the last two quarters has been witnessed," it said. "The Government is hopeful of meeting a target of Rs 1,000 crore as collections from royalty during 2010-11, against the 2009-10 (revised estimates) target of Rs 720 crore."