Assam government examining issues of land rights in tribal areas

* Move for indigenous inhabitants

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam government is closely examining the possibility of granting land rights to the indigenous people already residing for the last few decades in the tribal belts and blocks across the State. The move also includes those Gorkhas who have been already classified as "grazziers".

This step has been contemplated as many indigenous communities do not possess land rights in these areas despite the fact that they have been dwelling there for several decades.

Assam has 17 tribal belts and 30 blocks in Tinsukia, Sonitpur, Nagaon, Morigaon, Lakhimpur, Kamrup, Kamrup (metro), Goalpara, Dhemaji, Darrang, Bongaigaon and the four districts under Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

A four-member Cabinet Sub-Committee, under the chairmanship of Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, is examining the issue. The other members of the Cabinet Sub-Committee are Ministers Chandan Brahma, KeshabMahanta, and Naba Kumar Doley. The panel will make suitable recommendations to the Cabinet. The final decision, however, will be taken by the Cabinet.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee is studying the detailed reports submitted by the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to also check the legal aspects connected with the proposal. The DCs have already provided details of various indigenous communities who have been dwelling in the different tribal belts and blocks in the respective districts.

The Revenue & Disaster Management Department is helping the Cabinet panel.

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