The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Act, 1999

The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Act,

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The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Act, 1999 (ACT NO. 15 OF 1999) [As on the 1st June, 2026] 1

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED G.S.R. . . . . . for General Statutory Rules.

THE URBAN LAND (CEILING AND REGULATION) REPEAL ACT, 1999

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THE URBAN LAND (CEILING AND REGULATION) REPEAL ACT, 1999 __________ ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS __________ SECTIONS 1. Short title, application and commencement.

THE URBAN LAND (CEILING AND REGULATION) REPEAL ACT, 1999

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Section 1 — Short title, application and commencement

Section 2 — Repeal of Act 33 of 1976

Section 3 — Savings

Section 4 — Abatement of legal proceedings

THE URBAN LAND (CEILING AND REGULATION) REPEAL ACT, 1999 ACT NO. 15 OF 1999 [18th March, 1999.] An Act to repeal the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976. Short title, application and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Act, 1999. (2) It applies in the first instance to the whole of the States of Haryana and Punjab and to all the Union territories; and it shall apply to such other State which adopts this Act by resolution passed in that behalf under clause (2) of article 252 of the Constitution. (3) It shall be deemed to have come into force in the States of Haryana and Punjab and in all the Union territories on the 11th day of January, 1999 and in any other State which adopts this Act under clause (2) of article 252 of the Constitution on the date of such adoption; and the reference to repeal of the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 shall, in relation to any State or Union territory, mean the date on which this Act comes into force in such State or Union territory. Repeal of Act 33 of 1976.—The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act) is hereby repealed. Savings.—(1) The repeal of the principal Act shall not affect— (a) the vesting of any vacant land under sub-section (3) of section 10, possession of which has been taken over by the State Government or any person duly authorised by the State Government in this behalf or by the competent authority; (b) the validity of any order granting exemption under sub-section (1) of section 20 or any action taken thereunder, notwithstanding any judgment of any court to the contrary; (c) any payment made to the State Government as a condition for granting exemption under sub-section (1) of section 20. (2) Where— (a) any land is deemed to have vested in the State Government under sub-section (3) of section 10 of the principal Act but possession of which has not been taken over by the State Government or any person duly authorised by the State Government in this behalf or by the competent authority; and (b) any amount has been paid by the State Government with respect to such land, then, such land shall not be restored unless the amount paid, if any, has been refunded to the State Government. Abatement of legal proceedings. —All proceedings relating to any order made or purported to be made under the principal Act pending immediately before the commencement of this Act, before any court, tribunal or other authority shall abate: Provided that this section shall not apply to the proceedings relating to section 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the principal Act in so far as such proceedings are relatable to the land, possession of which has been taken over by the State Government or any person duly authorised by the State Government in this behalf or by the competent authority.

5. Repeal and saving.—(1) The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Ordinance, 1999

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Section 5 — Repeal and saving

Repeal and saving.—(1) The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Ordinance, 1999 (Ord. 5 of 1999) is hereby repealed. (2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS

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STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 was passed with a laudable social objective. The main purpose was to prevent concentration of urban land in a few hands and to provide affordable housing to the Economically Weaker Sections. It has on the contrary pushed up land prices, practically brought the housing industry to a stop and provided opportunities for corruption. There is a widespread demand for removing this irritant to land assembly and construction activity. During the implementation of the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976, there have been a spate of litigations giving rise to serious hurdles in taking over possession of land, by the State Governments. Public opinion is nearly unanimous that the Act has failed to achieve its objectives as expected.