Centre amends disposal of enemy property guidelines

New Delhi, Oct 17: In a move to update regulations regarding enemy property, the Central government has announced an amendment to the Guidelines for the Disposal of Enemy Property Order, 2018.

Key changes include a revision in the valuation threshold for property disposal. The revised guidelines stipulate that properties valued below one crore rupees in rural areas and below five crore rupees in urban areas will first be offered for purchase to the current occupants. If the occupants decline the offer, the properties will be disposed of following established procedures.

This amendment, officially titled the Guidelines for the Disposal of Enemy Property (Amendment) Order, 2024, comes into effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette notification issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The definitions for "rural" and "urban" areas have also been clarified, impacting the implementation of these guidelines across various states.

Definitions for "rural" and "urban" areas have been clarified, indicating that rural areas exclude regions covered by urban local bodies, while urban areas include those within municipal corporations as determined by the central government.

This amendment builds on prior notifications and amendments published since March 2018, aimed at streamlining the disposal process for enemy properties.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (6) of section 8A of the Enemy Property Act, 1968 (34 of 1968), the Central Government hereby makes the following order further to amend the Guidelines for the Disposal of Enemy Property Order, 2018," reads the notification.

"In the Guidelines for the Disposal of Enemy Property Order, 2018, in paragraph 9, in sub-paragraph (2), for clause (a), the following clause shall be substituted, namely: (a) valued below rupees one crore in rural areas and valued below rupees five crore in urban areas, the custodian shall offer of purchase to the occupant first and if the occupant refuses the offer of purchase, then enemy property shall be disposed of in accordance with the procedure specified in clauses (b), (c) and (d)," the notification further stated.