GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to distribute 1.06 lakh land pattas/allotment certificates to indigenous people of Assam.
Notably, PM Modi who will be in Assam's Sivasagar district will visit Jerenga Pathar, a historical place connected with Assam's erstwhile Ahom kingdom for the distribution ceremony on January 23.
Speaking to media, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that no government in Assam has ever taken such a people-friendly initiative in the past.
"Taking into account an urgent need to protect the land rights of indigenous people of the State, Government of Assam came out with a comprehensive new Land Policy with a renewed emphasis on protecting the land rights of the indigenous people," an official release from the prime minister's office said.
Meanwhile, in December 21, 2020, a total of 186 families in Socheng constituency under West Karbi Anglong district were handed over land pattas on Wednesday by Rupsing Teron, Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), in-charge Art and Culture, Fishery, Information and Public Relations.
LAND RIGHTS:
Earlier during a discussion on the 'Cut Motion on Supplementary Demands for grants for 2020-2021', Congress MLA RupjyotiKurmi pointed out: "More than 8,000 families are still living on embankments in Majuli — the Chief Minister's constituency. The government must initiate steps to provide land rights to them."
Kurmi also alleged that the government has not given due importance to the agitating indigenous people of Laika and Dodhia villages. Dwelling on this issue, Independent MLA BhubanPegu demanded that steps must be taken to allot land rights to the more than 1,200 families of Lakia-Dodhia villages.
Meanwhile, Gauhati West MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita (AGP) called for surveys of all areas in the city. He specifically mentioned the areas of Kamakhya, Gotanagar, Maligaon, and Durga Sarobar.
He demanded that pattas must be issued also among the indigenous landless persons in the city.
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