Jaipur: The state govt has notified new rules for converting agricultural land for non-agricultural use in rural areas, replacing the 2007 framework with an online, automated approval system.The Rajasthan Land Revenue (Use of Agricultural Land for Non-agricultural Purposes in Rural Areas) Rules, 2026, will come into effect from Nov 2, 2026.Under the new regime, the sub-divisional officer (SDO) will serve as the prescribed authority, while all applications must be submitted through a unified online portal. Once applicants upload the required documents and proof of premium payment, permission orders will be generated automatically. Application fees have been fixed at Rs 2,000 for residential units and Rs 20,000 for other uses.Industry stakeholders said the reforms will significantly reduce delays.Surendra Singh Shahpura, president of the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR), said revenue records will now be updated automatically one month after approval, with land-use classification changed accordingly, eliminating a process that earlier took considerable time.The govt, however, has retained restrictions on conversion of certain categories of land. These include land under acquisition, protected and eco-sensitive zones, water bodies and catchment areas, land covered by heritage laws, specified road and railway corridors, and areas around defence, petroleum and other critical installations.For the tourism sector, conversion applications will now be handled at the SDO level instead of by district collectors, a move expected to speed up approvals. Federation of Hotels of Rajasthan secretary Ranvijay Singh said the rules finally extend industry-status benefits to the tourism sector. “Many other departments had offered the industry benefits. Now, revenue has done so which will provide a boost to tourism,” added Singh.The notification also revises conversion premiums, linking them largely to a percentage of DLC rates. Premiums are set at 5% for residential, public utility and industrial uses; 10% for commercial, institutional, medical and residential projects; 2.5% for food-processing units; and 0.5% for renewable energy projects.Tourism units, stadiums, playgrounds, sports complexes and certain govt or local-authority projects will receive a 100% premium exemption. However, Hotels, resorts and other commercial units will attract 10 premium of the DLC rate. Exemptions also apply to select green and white-category industries, specified IT parks and campuses, and renewable energy projects on land owned by SC/ST khatedars.The rules also prescribe land-use norms. Residential colonies must reserve 40% of land for roads and public facilities, with up to 5% allowed for commercial and institutional use. In industrial areas, 70% of land must be used for industry and 30% for infrastructure, open spaces and support facilities.
