Maharashtra Land Revenue Code and Stamp Amendment Bills 2026 unlock grazing land for public works and speed up stamp duty refunds

Key facts

• Maharashtra Legislative Assembly passed the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code Amendment Bill 2026 allowing municipal corporations, municipal councils and municipal areas to use uncultivated grazing land (gairan) within their jurisdiction for public purpose projects while ownership remains with the state government.
• The available land pool comprises about 7,700 hectares in municipal corporation areas, around 4,000 hectares in municipal areas and nearly 3,000 hectares in municipal council areas.
• The Assembly also passed the Maharashtra Stamp Amendment Bill 2026 that raises financial limits for stamp duty refund decisions: district collectors can now sanction up to ₹20 lakh, Deputy Inspector General of Registration and Deputy Controller of Stamps up to ₹50 lakh, and Additional Controller of Stamps and Joint Inspector General of Registration and Superintendent of Stamps up to ₹1 crore, while cases above ₹1 crore will continue with the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority.