1 lakh pattas will be distributed by January 2021, says Revenue Minister Jogen Mohan

FOR INDIGENOUS LANDLESS PEOPLE

'Government exploring solutions for rehabilitation of Laika & Dodhia villagers'

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam government will distribute one lakh land pattas (settlement) or allotment certificates among the indigenous landless people of Assam within January 2021. Of these, while 65,000 such papers are ready, for the remaining 35,000 we have directed the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Circle Officers to make the documents ready as early as possible. This was stated by Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan on the second day of the three-day winter session of the Assam Assembly on Tuesday.

Giving his reply to the Cut Motion on Supplementary Demands for grants for 2020-2021, the Minister pointed out, "This is for the first time that such a huge number of people have been provided land-owning papers since the country's Independence. Owing to this significant decision of the Assam government, many indigenous landless people are now starting to enjoy rights over their lands."

Providing details, Minister Mohan said, "When the present government took over the reins of power in the State in 2016, there were 3,74,805 indigenous landless people. Of them, already 2,28,160 such families have got the land-owning orders or certificates. We will have to cover the remaining 1,46,645 persons. After distributing the proposed one lakh land owning orders or certificates by January 2021, we the remaining 46, 645 beneficiaries will be covered in the next phase.

LAIKA-DODHIA ROW: On the demand for rehabilitation by the indigenous residents of two villages — Laika and Dodhia — within the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Tinsukia district, the Minister said, "The Chief Minister is seriously taking the issue and discussed it in a meeting yesterday also. There are a few legal hurdles. The State government is exploring ways to positively resolve the subject."

LAND RIGHTS: Earlier during discussion on the 'Cut Motion on Supplementary Demands for grants for 2020-2021', Congress MLA RupjyotiKurmi pointed out: "More than 8,000 families are still living on embankments in Majuli — the Chief Minister's constituency. The government must initiate steps to provide land rights to them."

Kurmi also alleged that the government has not given due importance to the agitating indigenous people of Laika and Dodhia villages. Dwelling on this issue, Independent MLA BhubanPegu demanded that steps must be taken to allot land rights to the more than 1,200 families of Lakia-Dodhia villages.

RECRUITMENT OF GAON BURAHS: Revenue Minister Jogen Mohan informed the House that instructions have been given to fill up the vacant posts of GaonBurahs (GBs or headmen). Pointing out that the system of GBs is not there in the Barak Valley, he said that discussion will be held with the Finance Department to create these posts in the Valley. AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam demanded the introduction of the GB system across the State.

SURVEY IN CITY: Gauhati West MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita (AGP) called for surveys of all areas in the city. He specifically mentioned the areas of Kamakhya, Gotanagar, Maligaon, and Durga Sarobar. He demanded that pattas must be issued also among the indigenous landless persons in the city.

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