Bandra Bazar Gaothan

Bandra Bazar Gaothan, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

www.landsofmaharashtra.com/gaothanandgaothanexpansionsche...


Gaothan is portion of the land of the village which is ordinarily used for settlement. “Gaothan “or” village site" means the land included within the site of a village, town or city as determined by section 122 of MLR Code. It states that;

It shall be lawful for the Collector or for a survey officer acting under the general or special orders of the State Government, to ascertain and determine what lands are included within the site of any village, town or city and to fix and from time to time, to vary the limits of the site determined as aforesaid, regard being had to all subsisting rights of landholders.

Gaothan Extension Scheme:-

In the village area the rate of increase in population is high. Gaothans are not in position to absorb residents of the village. Government felt necessary to supply land for residence to the local people at reasonable price. Provisions are made in the section 18 of the Bombay Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1947 for acquiring land for extension of Gaothan. The section states that,
it shall be lawful for the Consolidation Officer, in consultation with the village committee, if any area under consolidation no land is reserved for any public purpose including extension of the village site, or if the land reserved is inadequate, to assign other land for such requirements and for that purpose to effect a proportionate cut in all holding of the village.

Principles for Gaothan Extension Scheme and regulation of buildings are given in the rule of 1967 of the Bombay Village Panchayat Act.1958. Collector is empowered to grant permission under section 44 of MLR Code.1966 for Gaothan Extension Scheme. He is required to consult Town Planning Department. Since the introduction of standardized building bye laws and DC Rules for B. & .C. Class municipal councils in the State in 1981, these have been used for scrutinizing applications for Gaothan Extension Scheme by Town planning Department for the areas out side the jurisdiction of planning authority. As Village Grampanchayats are not equipped with the staff required for planning, Town Planning Department is preparing village layouts for extension of old village gaothan and new village gaothan sites
If an agricultural holding is situated, within the limits of 200 m. from the existing boundaries of the Gaothan, holder of the land can apply to the collector under Section 44 of MLR Code1966 for conversion of use of land from agricultural purpose to non agricultural purpose under Gaothan Expansion Scheme and can sell the plots/Buildings to the local people.

Note: Definition of local people is not given in MLR Code 1966, Bombay Village Panchayat Act.1958 Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 and in the Bombay Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1947

Where an agricultural holding is situated within the limits of any planning authority, or where Development Control Regulations are made under MRTP Act 1966, Gaothan Expansion Scheme shall be in conformity with the detailed land use provisions of the Development Plan, Planning Proposals, Town Planning Schemes, Layout proposed as a part of the Regional Plan and in accordance with the Development Control Regulations.

.The below mentioned activities are permitted in Gaothan Expansion Scheme

Residences;
Retail shops, restaurants and banks, personal service establishments and repair service establishments;
Schools;
Community centres and other social institutions;
Religious places;
Clinics, dispensaries, health centres;
Essential public services and utilities including local Government offices.
Stables for domestic animals subject to limit of 5 animals on each plot.
Traditional household industries;
Storage of crop, fodder, manure, agricultural implements and other similar needs;
Parks and playground;
Fishing, fish and net-drying, boat storage, boat repairs and servicing, storage of
fuel;
Public conveniences;
Service industries class .A. as stated in the standardised bye-laws and D.C. Rules sanctioned by the State Government for .B. and .C. class municipal councils.
Warehousing and cold storage on plot not more than 0.20 ha.