Assam Government considering giving land rights through Mission Basundhara 2

 Indigenous people settled in VGR, PGR land

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Many indigenous people of Assam are settled in village grazing reserve (VGR) and professional grazing reserve (PGR) land. But because of some hurdles in the existing land laws, the government has not been able to give these people land rights. Although they have land possession, they do not have any land documents. Now, the government is mulling giving them land settlement rights, even if it entails amending the existing land laws.

Talking to The Sentinel, State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan said, "The issue of land rights of indigenous people has been brought to the notice of the government. The government has in principle taken a policy decision to give land rights to the indigenous people. After the successful completion of Mission Basundhara, Mission Basundhara 2 will be launched and we will try to give land rights to the indigenous people settled in VGR and PGR land under Mission Basundhara 2."

The minister said that people who could not apply for settlement of their land issues through Mission Basundhara, would be able to do so through Mission Basundhara 2. When asked when Mission Basundhara 2 would be launched, Mohan said that the date would be decided by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. "It is likely to be launched towards the end of June or in July," he added.

Meanwhile, Mission Basundhara will officially conclude on May 8, just before the completion of one year of the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government.

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