Assam: Dispur easing process for using agricultural land for other purposes

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: The Assam Government is going to simplify its process for using agricultural lands for other purposes, like the setting up of small industries, green energy projects and hydrocarbon explorations, etc. The state government is also going to set up land governance labs.

With the micro and small industrial units coming up in the state, providing land for such purposes is a problem. To promote micro and small industries, the government is making the use of agricultural lands for such purposes easier. Agri-processing and dairy sector industries will get the priority. However, the government will not allow the conversion of agricultural lands for the setting up of brick kilns. 

According to sources, many companies have given proposals to the state government for the exploration of hydrocarbons. The roadblock in this area is that the hydrocarbon exploration venture will affect agricultural lands. Several investors expressed their interest in investing in hydrocarbon exploration in the state during the recently held Advantage Assam 2.0. The government will make a provision in the relevant laws for the conversion of agricultural land use for hydrocarbon exploration, subject to the payment of land conversion fees.

According to sources, several green energy projects, big and small, are underway in Assam. The state has a target of generating 6,000 MW of green energy by 2030. This ambitious target needs vast areas of barren land, including agricultural land. The government is going to make provisions for the conversion of land use from agriculture to green energy purposes.

The government will set up land governance laboratories in every revenue circle as specialised centres with trained manpower for updating maps and seamless integration with blockchain-based land and property records.

The government converted part areas of proposed reserved forest to revenue land recently. The cabinet on Friday also approved the conversion of part areas of proposed reserved forest to revenue land.

 Also Read: Assam's Agricultural Land Decline, Irrigation Coverage Increased

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