By Anish Chand
The Cabinet of India has approved exemption from charging commercial rates for a plot of land allotted to the High Commission of Fiji in New Delhi.
The land is located in the diplomatic area of Chanakyapuri in New Delhi.
The proposal was approved at a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a meeting on July 4th 2018.
The government has granted exemption from commercial rates for the plot No. 31-B, measuring 2,800 square metre.
The decision by the Government of India is in response to similar conditions that were given to the Indian High Commission that is located in Suva.
“Given the special nature of bilateral relations with Fiji, exchange of plots on reciprocal basis by way of exemption from charging commercial rate for the plot of land allotted to High Commission of Fiji has been considered positively,” a Cabinet statement said.
In August 2015, the Fijian government had offered a plot of land measuring 6,695 square metres at a special lease of 99 years with a rent of FJD$100 per annum to be assessed every five years for construction of the Indian High Commission in Suva.
The Fijian Government had proposed exchange of land on reciprocal basis in August 2015.