Uttarakhand

• 03 Jan 2024

Banning Land Purchase

Why in News?

Recently, Uttarakhand government decided to ban land purchase by outsiders for agriculture or horticulture purposes.

Key Points

• The official release stated that the District Magistrates (DMs) will not issue permission to outsiders to purchase land for the purpose of agriculture and horticulture.
• On 22nd December 2023, the government constituted a five-member drafting committee under the chairmanship of additional chief secretary (home) Radha Raturi for a detailed examination of the report submitted by the committee on land laws.
• The government is allegedly taking the steps in accordance with the public's sentiments which it places paramount in this case.
  • CM Dhami had set up a high-level committee to make recommendations for striking a balance between the requirement of land for industrial development projects in the state and the preservation of land that is currently available in Uttarakhand.
• Specific demands are being raised by public such as, in all projects, and industries set up in hilly areas, in which land acquisition or purchase is mandatory or will be done in the future, 25% share of local villagers and 25% share of native residents of the district must be ensured. And 80% employment should be ensured to local people in these projects,’.
• It is necessary to introduce these measures to ensure that natives have the first right to resources of the state – jal (water), jangal (forests), jameen (land) – and will ensure employment for the locals.