Rule 309 — GFR 2017
Original Rule Text
Rule 309
Save as otherwise provided in any law,
rule or order relating to the transfer of
Government land, no land belonging to
the Government or any of its bodies,
including autonomous bodies, PSUs, etc.
shall be sold without previous sanction of
the Government.
What This Means
Officers, Rule 309 is very important for how we manage government land. Simply put, it means that you cannot sell any land that belongs to the Government or any of its associated organizations without first getting official permission from the Government. This applies broadly to all government departments, autonomous bodies (which operate somewhat independently but are funded by the government), and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) – basically, any entity that is part of the government's extended family.
The core idea is to ensure that government land, which is a public asset, is not sold off without proper oversight and approval. This prevents unauthorized sales and ensures transparency and accountability in the disposal of valuable public property.
So, whenever your department, autonomous body, or PSU considers selling a piece of land, the very first step, before even thinking about potential buyers or prices, must be to seek and obtain the necessary sanction from the appropriate Government authority. The only exception is if there's another specific law, rule, or order that explicitly states a different procedure for transferring that particular type of government land.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- 1Government land, including that held by autonomous bodies and PSUs, cannot be sold without prior government sanction.
- 2This rule ensures proper oversight and accountability in the disposal of public assets.
- 3The requirement for sanction applies universally, regardless of the size or value of the land.
- 4An exception exists if another specific law, rule, or order provides a different procedure for land transfer.
- 5Seeking government approval is a mandatory first step before initiating any land sale process.
Practical Example
Imagine the 'National Infrastructure Corporation' (NIC), a Public Sector Undertaking, owns a 5-acre plot of land in the outskirts of Bhopal that was originally acquired for a project that never materialized. The NIC management committee decides that this land is now surplus to their requirements and could be sold to generate revenue for new projects.
Before they can even issue a tender or approach potential buyers, the NIC's Finance Department, led by Ms. Sharma, reviews the General Financial Rules. Ms. Sharma immediately points out Rule 309. She explains that even though NIC is an autonomous PSU, they cannot proceed with the sale of the 5-acre plot without first obtaining explicit sanction from the relevant Ministry of the Government of India. The NIC then prepares a detailed proposal outlining the reasons for sale, the estimated value (say, Rs. 10 crore), and the proposed use of funds, and submits it to the Ministry for approval. Only after receiving this official sanction can they move forward with the actual sale process.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.