Today, in the Chief Minister’s Camp Office, the chairman of the committee and former chief secretary of the state, Subhash Kumar, committee member and member of Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee Ajendra Ajay, former IAS officers Arun Dhoundiyal and DS Garvyal and ex-officio member secretary of the committee K. Deependra Kumar Choudhary, who was holding the charge of Secretary Revenue till recently, met Chief Minister Dhami. On this occasion, Chief Minister Dhami said that the government would soon consider the recommendations of the committee in the larger public interest and in the interest of the state after thoroughly studying the report of the committee and would amend the land law.
In July 2021, CM Dhami constituted a high level committee.
It is noteworthy that after being appointed the Chief Minister of the state in July 2021 by CM Dhami, a high-level committee was constituted in the month of August the same year. Keeping in mind the balance between the need of land for industrial development works in the state and the conservation of land available in the state, the development work should not be affected, keeping in mind that it was to be discussed and submitted its recommendation to the government.
The report prepared in 80 pages after taking suggestions from all the stakeholders in depth consultation:
The committee has prepared its report in about 80 pages after in-depth consultation by inviting suggestions from the interested parties of the state, various organizations, institutions. Apart from this, the committee also examined all the district magistrates by asking for the details of the approvals for the purchase of land given so far in the state.
Focus on preventing misuse of land along with increasing investment and employment in the state:
The committee has included such points in its recommendations which will increase investment and increase employment opportunities for development in the state. Along with this, it has also been recommended to stop unnecessary misuse of land.
The committee has recommended certain provisions like that of Himachal Pradesh in accordance with the public sentiments in the present Uttarakhand (Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Annihilation and Land Settlement Act, 1950) as amended and as in force.
Major recommendations of the committee:
At present, permission is given by the District Magistrate to purchase agricultural land for agricultural or horticultural purposes. In some cases, such permission is being misused by making resorts/private bungalows and not for agricultural/horticultural purposes. Due to this people are becoming landless in hilly areas and employment is not being created.
The committee has recommended that such permissions should not be given from the district level. There should be a provision of permission from the government itself.
At present, permission is being given by the District Magistrate to purchase land for micro, small and medium scale industries. Like Himachal Pradesh, these permissions should be obtained from the government level on the basis of minimum land requirement.
At present, the state government can give more than 12.05 acres of land to the applicant organization / firm / company / individual for industrial purposes, AYUSH, education, health and medical education, horticulture and various processing, tourism, agriculture in hills and plains on his application. .
Ending the above prevailing system, it would be appropriate to give it on the basis of minimum land requirement like Himachal Pradesh.
Only 4-5 star hotels/resorts, multi-specialty hospitals, vocational/professional institutes etc., apart from big industries, should be allowed to purchase land on the basis of Essentiality Certificate from the government level. The committee recommends to bring a system of making land available on lease for other purposes.
At present, land purchased for non-agricultural purpose can be sent to S.D.M. in 10 days. Declaring non-agriculture under section 143 will register in Khatauni.
But in the purchase permission order, there is a condition to use the land for the prescribed purpose in 2 years. If the land will be vested in the State Government if it is not used within the stipulated period or for any other use / sale, it also remains mentioned in the condition.
If the agricultural land purchased for non-agricultural purpose is declared as “non-agricultural” within 10 days, then it cannot be vested in the state government (in case of violation) under section 167.
Therefore, adding a new sub-section, the said land will have to be declared as agricultural land again, after which it can be vested in the state government.
A person can buy a maximum of 250 square meters of land for residential purpose during his lifetime without permission in the name of himself or any member of his family.
The committee recommends that the Aadhar card of all the members of the family should be linked with the revenue records to prevent the purchase of separate land in the name of all the members of the family.
The state government should define ‘landless’ in the Act. The committee suggests that minimum 5 drains in hilly area and 0.5 acre minimum land standard in plain area would be justified for the definition of ‘landless’.
