Land Policy: Empowered DCs to shield places of religious bodies & tribal people

ASSAM LAND POLICY-2019

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Once the new ‘Assam Land Policy-2019’ is notified, strict restrictions will be in place on sale of lands in the tribal belts and blocks to unauthorized persons. Similarly, steps will be enforced for preservation of xattras, places of historical importance and ancient monuments, tanks, etc across the State. The land policy states that such lands “shall not be allotted or settled to any individual or any organization.” Moreover, the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) will be empowered to immediately remove all unauthorized encroachments from lands of the xatras and other religious as well as charitable institutions. A database of such lands — based on survey — will be prepared. Steps also will be taken to notify such lands as ‘Protected lands’. Necessary entry to that effect will be made in the land records by the Land Record Staff.

The State Council of Ministers gave its nod to the ‘Assam Land Policy-2019’ on October 21.

Pertaining to the protected belts and blocks falling within Kamrup (M) and Kamrup districts, the respective DCs will not be able to accord permission for land transfer without the prior approval from the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management. With respect to protection of land in the protected belts and blocks, the new land policy of Assam firmly states that “the DCs shall not accord permission for land transfer in protected belts and blocks in contravention of provisions of Chapter-X of Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (ALLR), 1886.”

Further, the respective DCs will have to take utmost care in case of according permission for transfer of land within these Protected Belts and Blocks. The new land policy says, “They should see that no non-eligible person gets permission of acquiring land within the Protected Belts and Blocks. All provisions of ALLR-1886 shall be followed scrupulously including removal of non-eligible person(s) from the ‘Protected Belt and Block’ areas.

“Purchasing of land in the Protected Belts and Blocks by a non-protected person in the name of a person of protected class under any partnership and keeping the land under his occupation and if it appears to be a benami one, it shall be strictly prohibited. In such cases, appropriate procedure as defined by law shall be resorted to evict the unauthorized occupier. Further, endeavour shall also be made to check any attempt to possess land in the Protected Belts and Blocks by ineligible person(s) by executing the Power of Attorney.

“In case of transfer of land to registered co-operative society/farms/company etc., the DCs will ensure that all the members including the office bearers of such society/farm etc., are from the protected classes of person notified by the Government.

“However, Government departments/ institutions/ organizations/ corporations/ company and other government bodies may be allotted land for public purpose.”

Also Watch: Several injured in Head on collision between Dumper Truck and Wagon R in Kampur