By IANS,
Shimla: Ahead of a discussion on an amendment to the land reforms act in the Himachal Pradesh assembly, an NGO Saturday opposed the government’s move to change the land-owning norms in the state.
“We oppose the proposed amendment in Section 118 of Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act by the government,” said Kulbhushan Upmanyu, president, Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, a conglomerate of NGOs fighting for the cause of those facing rehabilitation due to development activities.
“Any amendment would open the floodgates for outsiders to easily buy agricultural land in the name of developing housing colonies and other projects. This will only promote builders as they will buy huge chunks of land in the name of developing projects,” he said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party government April 8 introduced the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms (Amendment) Bill in the assembly, seeking to allow non-agriculturists to purchase industrial plots, sheds, apartments or buildings from registered promoters or colonisers without the permission of the government.
Introducing the bill, Revenue Minister Gulab Singh said provisions of the Act barred non-agriculturists from purchasing apartments or buildings from promoters or coloniser registered under the State Apartment and Property Regulation Act.
It was proposed to suitably amend Section 118 of the Act to enable non-agriculturists to purchase industrial plots, apartments or buildings from registered colonisers without permission of the government.
The opposition Congress has already raised its objections to the amendment in the Act.
The amendment bill has been listed for discussion in the assembly April 12.