Uttarakhand cabinet clears 'strict' land law, likely to be tabled in Assembly next week

Pushkar Singh Dhami

The Uttarakhand Cabinet on Wednesday approved a new draft law banning people from outside the state from buying agricultural and horticultural land in 11 of the state’s 13 districts. The revised land law will be tabled in the ongoing budget session which will conclude on February 24.

Meanwhile, the government assured that while tightening the land law provisions, it would ensure no atmosphere of fear for industries and new investors. The chief minister called the decision historic, adding that the new law will help protect the state resources.

The cabinet also approved the filing of mandatory affidavit to buy land, restricting powers of district magistrates to give permission for land purchases and scrapping provisions implemented by the former state CM Trivendra Singh Rawat-led government in 2018.

Under the new land law, except for Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts, persons from outside the state will not be able to buy horticultural and agricultural land.

Commenting on the new land law, Uttarakhand CM said:  "Our government is the protector of the state's culture and original identity. Fully respecting the long-standing demand of the people of the state and their sentiments, today the cabinet has approved a strict land law. This historic step will protect the resources of the state, cultural heritage and the rights of the citizens. It will also play an important role in maintaining the original identity of the state."

Here is a detailed look at the new land law:

-All provisions of the 2018 Trivendra Rawat government have been annulled.

-Except for Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, people from outside the state will not be able to buy horticulture and agriculture land in 11 districts.

-Land consolidation and settlement will take place in the hills.

-District Magistrates will no longer have the authority to grant permission for land purchases.

-A portal will be created for land purchases in the state.

-The portal will track even a single inch of land purchased by people from outside the state.

-An affidavit will be mandatory for people from outside the state when purchasing land.

-All District Magistrates will have to regularly report all land purchases to the Revenue Council and the government.

-Within municipal boundaries, land use will be restricted to designated purposes.

-If the land is used contrary to the rules, it will be vested in the government.

The government has been proceeding carefully with the new land laws. Following the submission of a report by a high-level committee, chaired by former Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, which was tasked with reviewing and studying the current land law, the government has conducted assessments at various levels. The committee has also recommended tightening the flexible provisions of the existing land law.