The rampant misuse of online no objection certificates (NOCs) issued by the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) has become a major driver of illegal plotting across Gurugram's Sohna, Pataudi and Farrukhnagar and Nuh's Tauru belt. The department has now decided to mandate Aadhaar-based verification before an NOC can be issued.
How the Online NOC Loophole Worked
Until now, an applicant seeking to sell or transfer agricultural land measuring below one acre only had to upload a set of documents, including a self-attested affidavit, on the DTCP's online portal to secure an NOC. There was no physical or biometric verification of the seller's identity, which created a loophole that illegal plot sellers exploited.
According to The Tribune, this lack of verification allowed individuals to misuse the system for illegal plotting activities in the region.
DTCP's New Aadhaar-Based Verification for NOCs
The department is now working to make NOC verification similar to change of land use (CLU) verification by linking it to Aadhaar-based OTPs. This means applicants will need to verify their identity through Aadhaar before an NOC can be issued.
According to The Tribune, the DTCP is making Aadhaar-based verification mandatory for online NOCs to curb illegal plotting in the Gurugram belt.
"The department is working to make NOC verification similar to change of land use (CLU) verification by linking it to Aadhaar-based OTPs." — The Tribune
What This Means for Land Transactions
The new verification process will add a layer of security to land transactions in the affected areas. Sellers will now have to prove their identity through Aadhaar-based OTPs, making it harder for illegal operators to misuse the NOC system.
Officials say the loophole in the online NOC process was a significant factor in the growth of illegal plotting in these belts. The move to Aadhaar-based verification is expected to close this gap and bring more accountability to the process.
- The new system will require Aadhaar-based OTP verification for NOC issuance
- The verification process will be similar to the existing CLU verification system
- The measure targets illegal plotting in Sohna, Pataudi, Farrukhnagar and Tauru belts
- The previous system only required document uploads with no biometric checks
Our Take: Closing the Verification Gap
To put it plainly, this is a necessary step in the right direction. The online NOC system was clearly being exploited because it relied entirely on self-declaration without any real identity check. When a seller can simply upload a self-attested affidavit and get an NOC, the system invites misuse.
The move to Aadhaar-based verification brings the NOC process in line with CLU verification, which is a sensible approach. It adds a layer of accountability that was missing. However, the real test will be in how strictly the new system is enforced. Aadhaar verification only works if the department actually follows through and rejects applications that fail verification.
For buyers and sellers in the Gurugram belt, this change means more paperwork and an extra step in the process. But that small inconvenience is worth it if it helps curb illegal plotting and protects genuine land transactions. The department must ensure the new system is implemented smoothly and does not create delays for honest applicants.