NEW DELHI: Enemy properties worth a total Rs 2,930 crore were sold until January 28 this year, the home ministry informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. In written reply to a question, junior home minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar said the govt has taken several steps to fast-track monetisation of enemy properties, including declaring district magistrates as ex-officio deputy custodian of such property, sub-divisional magistrate as ex-officio assistant custodian, tehsildar as ex-officio inspector and deputy secretary posted in office of custodian of enemy properties of India (CEPI) as the ex-officio deputy custodian. To attract bidders in enemy property auctions, the pre-bid earnest money deposit (EMD) was halved to 5% and the payment period of the sale value increased to 120 days from 21 days.As per the reply, if no bids are received for an enemy property during three e-auctions, then the reserve price is reduced by 10% and the property is again put for e- auction. Enemy property valued below Rs 1 crore in rural areas and below Rs 5 crore in urban areas is offered to the occupant for purchase, as per the revised norms.Kumar further told the House that standard operating procedure (SOP) has been issued for publicity of enemy property auctions and CEPI headquarters strengthened by posting regular officers.The disposal/monetisation of enemy properties is done in accordance with the provisions of the Enemy Property Act, 1968 and the rules and guidelines framed therein.Before the disposal/monetisation of the enemy properties, the valuation of immovable ones is done by a valuation committee under the chairmanship of the district magistrate concerned. For enemy properties valued more than Rs 1 crore, market valuation is also done through empanelled valuer. The valuation reports are placed by the CEPI before the enemy property disposal committee, which gives its recommendations to the Central government regarding the disposal of enemy properties.
