Lucknow: The state cabinet on Monday approved an ordinance to amend Section 80 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006, paving the way for a simplified system of land-use conversion in areas under development authorities, industrial authorities, regulated zones and the UP Housing and Development Board.Finance minister Suresh Khanna said the change eliminates the need for a separate land-use conversion process for shifting land from agriculture to non-agriculture use. “When a building plan is approved by the authority concerned, it will automatically be considered as land use conversion,” Khanna said. An official said till now, there was a double process to be followed– first applying for land use conversion and then getting the building plan approved—which led to delays. “Under the new system, all formalities have been integrated into the building plan approval process itself. This will not only provide relief to the public but will also make procedures simpler and transparent. This is expected to boost investment, accelerate industrial establishment and give momentum to industrial development in UP,” the minister said. The cabinet also cleared a policy for treating wastewater generated in households and industries and reusing it, thereby reducing pressure on drinking water resources. Khanna explained that the demand for water in irrigation, domestic, industrial and energy sectors has been continuously increasing. “Govt has therefore planned to promote the safe use of water treated in Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs). The treated wastewater will initially be used by urban local bodies, for construction work, gardening and irrigation,” he said. In the second phase, its use will be expanded to other sectors like industry, agriculture, and railways. In the third phase, a dual-pipe system will be implemented to ensure the supply of non-potable water to households for non-drinking purposes. Funds for the construction of a proper road for the 24 Kosi Parikrama in Sambhal were also cleared. The parikrama takes place at the Vanshgopal Tirth in Shambhal every month but, in the absence of a pucca road, devotees face a lot of problems, said an official. Now, a project to construct a 7km-long road around the route for over Rs 300 crore has been cleared by the cabinet.
