The Bengal government is likely to sell 41 plots in the Alipore area of Calcutta in an apparent bid to generate cash so that it can continue with over 70 welfare schemes despite the stress on the state coffers.

“These 41 plots measuring more than seven acres were in possession of various departments. Initiatives have been taken to ensure a hassle-free transfer of the plots to the housing department, which will subsequently hand over the land to WBHIDCO (West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation). The WBHIDCO will e-auction the plots,” said a senior government official.

The move has come soon after the state cabinet allowed the parastatals (companies and corporations functioning under different departments) to sell the plots in their possession.

Sources said the sale of the Alipore plots might be the beginning of an exercise to put government land on the block on a large scale.

“So far, the WBHIDCO had been transferring land on a long-term lease to private parties. Now, it seems preparations are on to go for the outright sale after the cabinet allowed the departments as well as the parastatals to put their plots on the block,” said a bureaucrat.

A meeting was held at Nabanna last week to transfer the plots owned by various departments at Alipore to the housing department smoothly.

“The plots which will be e-auctioned belong to departments like home, public works, industries and correctional affairs. Groundwork was done for the smooth transfer of the plots through deeds (to the housing department). This is important to make the e-auction error-free,” said a source.

The 41 plots were part of a large area where the Alipore and Presidency prisons had once stood.

“Following the relocation of the correctional homes, the 41 plots are free from all encumbrances,” said a source.

The WBHIDCO had already leased out plots measuring five acres for a long term in August last year. The e-auction of the plots had fetched more than Rs 400 crore, the sources said.

“The government can generate much more funds if these plots are sold out,” said a bureaucrat.

Senior government officials said the entire process was being carried out with utmost caution since Opposition parties had threatened to challenge in court the government’s decision of allowing the departments and parastatals to sell their plots.

“So, we cannot take any chance. We have to make the transfer of land to the housing department flawless. That is why meetings are being held with the departments concerned on a regular basis,” said a source.

The government, the sources said, needs money badly to fund development projects ahead of panchayat polls.

“Flow of funds to the infrastructure projects has dried up as the government is spending nearly Rs 30,000 crore annually to run more than 70 welfare schemes. If the government can sell the Alipore land successfully, it can think of monetising unused plots in other areas,” said a source.