The issuance of these certificates had been halted in November 2014, leaving thousands of applicants in limbo despite repeated submissions over the years. Municipal officials confirmed that the long-pending process has been revived only after the state cabinet granted approval for preparing a fresh list of beneficiaries. Acting on the special instructions of Mayor Firhad Hakim, the distribution of application forms began on June 2, 2025, covering residents across wards 1 to 100 of the city.
According to officials, the certificates are being handed over to eligible applicants following the verification of prescribed forms and necessary documents. Mayor Hakim has directed that the entire exercise be completed within six months. A senior official explained that in administrative terminology the issuance of this certificate is referred to as a “return.” Until now, residents living on contract land had no official recognition of their rights. With the issuance of these certificates, applicants will be able to pay land rent directly to the government, facilitating smoother property mutation and assessment. They will also gain the legal authority to demolish old structures and construct new ones if required.
This long-awaited initiative is expected to benefit citizens while simultaneously strengthening municipal revenue. Authorities anticipate a substantial rise in income through land rent, mutation charges, and property assessment fees once the process is completed. For residents, the move provides long-sought clarity and legal protection. One applicant expressed relief, saying, “I was facing problems in getting various services for so long. Now I have got legal recognition. This will not cause any more problems in the future.”
Civic officials emphasized that the resumption of this process after an 11-year pause is not just a bureaucratic development but also a step toward improving the city’s financial structure. They believe that the contract-tenant certificate will protect citizens’ rights, regularize property-related transactions, and bring greater order to Kolkata’s municipal governance system.
The return of this long-stalled mechanism has therefore brought both administrative relief and a renewed sense of security to many residents, marking a significant step in addressing urban tenancy challenges in the city.
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