02 March, VADODARA: The unprecedented hike in the `Jantri’, the annual statement of land rates, proposed by the BJP government has come into sharp criticism from all quarters of the society. People are saying that it will make difficult for the common man to buy houses in the state.

The proposed increase in the Jantri rates by over 200 to 300%, will affect the buyer to make an additional payment of Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 for purchasing property for residential purposes in the state.

President of the Baroda Bar Association Narendra Tiwari has criticised it saying that the entire procedure of proposing unprecedented hike in the Jantri rate is illegal. Mr. Tiwari Said, “It will be difficult for people to buy houses in the city, as the hike is unprecedented, even more than the prevalent market value of the land in city”.

The levying of Jantri rate in various cities and towns of Gujarat became effective from April 1, 1999 and nearly 55% hike was made in the year 2007.

Dilip Mehta a leading hotelier and former president of the Baroda Land Developers’ Association said the new Jantri rates will affect construction activities and it will be opposed tooth and nail.