Assam Government to amend land regulation of indigenous people

* Prime objective: Protection of indigenous people's rights

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Government has decided to amend the British era 'Assam Land & Revenue Regulation 1886' to ensure the land rights of the indigenous people of the State.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has already formed a Cabinet sub-committee with Revenue and Disaster Management (R&DM) Minister Jogen Mohan as the chairman. The other members of the Cabinet sub-committee are Education Minister Ranuj Pegu, WPT & BC (Welfare of Plain Tribe & Backward Classes) Minister UG Brahma and Health Minister Keshab Mahanta. The Principal Secretary of the R & DM Department is the member-secretary of the Cabinet sub-committee.

The notification issued regarding the constitution of the Cabinet sub-committee has spelt it out that the committee has to submit its report to the Chief Minister within 30 days from the date of its first sitting. The Cabinet will make the final decisions on the recommendations that the committee will submit.

Talking to The Sentinel, committee chairman Jogen Mohan said, "The Assam Land & Revenue Regulation 1886 needs amendments. The British era regulation is not in sync with the present situation, especially in protecting the land rights of the indigenous people of the State in some areas. The government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has formed the Cabinet sub-committee. The amendment aims to protect the land rights of the indigenous people of the State. It is a huge task.

"In the last five years, it came to light that many indigenous people of the State have no rights over lands. That made the government provide land rights to over two lakh indigenous people. The indigenous people of the State will get a great relief if the land when we amend the regulation."

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