Draft Land Policy To Focus On Survey In Sar Or Riverine Areas

GUWAHATI: One of the thrust areas of the new land policy being drafted, is surveying the ‘sar’ or riverine areas across the State. Since no survey has been undertaken on the population on these riverine locales by the Revenue & Disaster Management department for a long time, the proposed survey would definitely help in the formulation of a database on the land and residents of these areas. The survey will also help the government to detect indigenous people living in such areas and later issue them land pattas.

The draft land policy has been prepared by the two officials of the Revenue & Disaster Management department in consultation with senior officials and Chief Minister Office. The policy has been drafted on the basis of the recommendations of the Committee for Protection of Land Rights of the Indigenous People of Assam headed by former Chief Election Commissioner Hari Shankar Brahma and other existing land laws. The Brahma committee submitted its report to the State Government on January 18, 2018. The committee was constituted on February 6, 2017, by an order issued by the Governor of Assam.

After finalization of the new draft land policy it would be sent to the various departments connected with land like the forest, urban development, agriculture and Guwahati Development Department among others for their opinions. After incorporation of the various suggestions and views of different department, the draft policy would be sent to the Chief Minister for his approval. Following the Chief Minister’s nod, the policy would be finally placed before the Cabinet.

Considering the lengthy process, it is unlikely that the new land policy would see the light of the day before the Lok Sabha elections slated for April and May. It is expected that the new land policy will be approved by the State Government in the last part of 2019.

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