STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam government has decided to create a database on the prime agricultural lands across the State. To carry out a detailed mapping, the Revenue & Disaster Management Department might seek help of the 'National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning' (NBSS&LUP) – an agency of the Central government. In this regard, the Department will seek a view of the Agriculture department.
The move has been made to ensure transparency and also to speed up the entire process. Earlier, the DCs were supposed to carry out this exercise with the help of the Agriculture department.
Once this survey is completed, there will be restrictions on the sale or transfer of prime agricultural lands in the State as mentioned in the State's Land Policy-2019.
The 'Land Policy 2019' mentions the "Restriction on transfer of agricultural land" in clause 9.1 as follows, "In order to maintain the basic permanent crop land in the State, the Deputy Commissioners with the assistance of the Agricultural Department shall carry out survey to identify the prime agricultural land parcels of the districts depending upon the fertility of the land, irrigation facility, cropping intensity and annual yield records of such land Such prime agricultural land of the districts shall be digitally mapped and recorded distinctly in the land records. Deputy Commissioners shall not accord approval for transfer of such land without prior approval from the Government."
Also Watch: #NewsMakers: Bharat Bhushan Dev Choudhury, Sec. General Administration, Gov. of Assam, Dispur