Residents owning properties in the Tilakwadi region of Belagavi, particularly within Somwar Peth, Mangalwar Peth, Budhwar Peth, Shukurwar Peth, Roy Road, Nehru Road, Maharshi Road, and Ranade Road, have recently stumbled upon an alteration in their Municipal documents. Surprisingly, the once-familiar designations of their localities have been replaced with the term “Municipality.” This unforeseen modification has generated astonishment and apprehension among them regarding the rightful ownership of their properties, states the report from Sakal Daily.
Traditionally, the Municipal extract features the property owner’s identity. Nevertheless, an extraordinary development has unfolded over the last half-year, affecting every property owner within these sectors. During this period, instead of their names, the term “Municipality” has graced their extracts. This shift suggests a significant alteration in ownership, indicating that the properties have transitioned into the possession of the Belagavi City Corporation, the local municipal body. The Sakal has exclusively covered this development, offering comprehensive insights into the unfolding situation.
All inhabitants are lessees, and the municipality holds the land ownership
According to the extracted information, the Municipal Corporation stands as the original proprietor of these properties. This denotes that if a proprietor intends to sell their property, they must secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the city corporation. In response to inquiries regarding this matter, the corporation affirmed that the ownership rights to the assets, properties, and land within Tilakwadi reside under their jurisdiction.
In the delineated regions, the land was initially leased by the Belgaum Municipality during the era of British Rule. Established in 1930, the municipality issued a 30-year lease for the land. However, following India’s independence in 1947, the municipality was unable to take formal possession of the land, resulting in the properties remaining with those who held them during that time. Notwithstanding, the Belagavi City Corporation upholds the stance that the ownership rights vested in the municipality still extend to these properties.
Despite the municipality’s assertion, the Land Records Department has declined to alter the designation to “Municipality.” As a result, the Belagavi City Corporation currently faces the task of navigating this intricate ownership scenario.
