National
Outsiders Prohibited from Buying Land in Uttarakhand: New Law Enacted
The amendment was introduced on February 19 to establish a robust legal framework governing land in the state and to restrict the sale of agricultural lands in the hilly areas. This law aims to prevent the indiscriminate buying and selling of agricultural and horticultural land within Uttarakhand.
The bill was discussed in the assembly late on February 21. During the discussion, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated, “Purchasing land in 11 hill districts of the state is now completely prohibited. Sales of more than 12.5 acres for specified purposes are also halted, and land acquisition in Udhamsingh Nagar and Haridwar requires administrative approval.” He also mentioned that any false affidavit regarding land purchase exceeding 250 square meters in municipal areas would lead to state confiscation.
However, the opposition expressed dissatisfaction with the current version of the bill, advocating for its referral to the select committee. While the Leader of the Opposition, Yashpal Arya, along with other congress MLAs and legislators, acknowledged support for the bill’s objectives, they criticized it for being inadequately developed and called for expert input to enhance its applicability and effectiveness within Uttarakhand.
Arya articulated his concerns outside the assembly, arguing that the bill was introduced under intense public pressure from the people of Uttarakhand. He said, “The public’s demand for a comprehensive land law led to the introduction of this bill, yet it remains incomplete and could be significantly strengthened if reviewed by a special committee.”
In response, Chief Minister Dhami declared, “The assembly has passed a robust land law reflecting the sentiments of the public. This decision will safeguard the state’s resources, cultural heritage, and the rights of Uttarakhand’s residents.” He also remarked, “This marks not the conclusion, but a new beginning for land reform in the state, with ongoing processes for land management in the future.”
Ultimately, the assembly voted against the opposition’s proposal to send the bill to a select committee, resulting in the passage of the new Land Law.
Key features of the new land law include:
– Strict measures against unauthorized land use within municipal limits.
– Restrictions on purchasing land exceeding 12.5 acres.
– Enhancement of consolidation and settlement processes in the hills.
– Prohibition of agricultural land purchases by outsiders in 11 hill districts, with exceptions for Haridwar and Udhamsingh Nagar.
– Removal of the District Magistrate’s authority to approve land purchases by outsiders, requiring government-level approval instead.
– Establishment of a portal to document land transactions involving outsiders.
The individual, a 40-year-old man from Jaipur, Rajasthan, was flagged by customs officers based on profiling measures. Following his arrival from Dubai on Friday, the necessary legal actions are being taken in accordance with Customs regulations.
The authorities intercepted him at the green channel exit.
Upon conducting an X-ray examination of his luggage, customs officials noticed suspicious images. Although the Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD) did not signal any alerts for the passenger, a thorough inspection of his baggage led to the discovery of the gold bars.
In a recent reshuffle, several IAS officers were transferred, including Smitha Sabharwal, who served as the Secretary for Youth Advancement, Tourism, and Culture. She has been assigned to the Finance Commission just as the Miss World beauty pageant approaches, marking its first occurrence in the state.
Sabharwal reportedly faced backlash from the Chief Minister due to a Ghibli-style AI-generated image of bulldozers connected to the Kancha Gachibowli issue she shared on her ‘X’ account, leading to police summons. Jayesh Ranjan, formerly the industry secretary, has now taken over her position in the tourism department.
Jayesh Ranjan also steps into the Chief Minister’s office as CEO of the Industry and Investment Cell. Additionally, R V Karnan has been appointed as the GHMC Commissioner, previously known for conducting rigorous inspections and imposing fines on food establishments for hygiene violations.
M Dana Kishore, who was overseeing the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, has been transferred to the Labour Department.
Here’s a rewritten version of the content:
—
“It’s time to write a new chapter in our agricultural narrative. Once, food security was our top priority, but the landscape has shifted. Now, our goal should be to enhance the prosperity of our farmers. Engaging institutions like Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) at the grassroots level is crucial,” he stated while addressing students and faculty at TNAU in Coimbatore.
He stressed the importance of bridging the gap between research and practical farming, saying, “The connection between labs and fields must be strengthened. Our 730 Krishi Kendras should be lively hubs, actively engaging with farmers and providing them with education. We need to inspire farmers to transcend their roles as mere producers. The impact of innovation and research should be assessed based on its benefits to the farming community.”
According to him, research must be rooted in the needs of farmers and directed towards tangible causes. “Support for such initiatives should not only come from the Union government but also from the realms of trade, commerce, and business. Agribusiness should be encouraged, as the current number of 6,000 startups in our nation of 1.4 billion is insufficient. The U.S. significantly aids its farmers with a focus on their well-being,” he added. “We have substantial fertilizer subsidies, and institutions like TNAU must ensure that these benefits, approximately Rs 35,000 annually, reach farmers. We need to cultivate not just farmers, but farmer-traders and farmer-entrepreneurs.”
Advocating for increased corporate involvement in agriculture, he urged, “I call on businesses to connect with farmers and contribute positively to the agricultural sector.”
—
Let me know if you need any more modifications!
Customs Officials Detain Passenger with 2 kg of Gold Bars at Delhi Airport
Telangana Appoints K. Ramakrishna Rao as New Chief Secretary
India Must Transition from Food Security to Farmers’ Prosperity: VP Dhankhar
“Hidden Love” Spin-Off “The First Frost” Now Streaming on Netflix
UP Government Unveils Landmark ₹8.08 Lakh Crore Budget for 2025-26
Kim Sae-ron, South Korean Actress, Passes Away at 24 — Cause of Death Disclosed
-
Entertainment14 hours agoActor Ajith Kumar Attends CSK vs SRH Match at Chepauk with His Family
-
National14 hours agoHaryana CM Grants Rs 50 Lakh and Job to Family of Lt Vinay Narwal
-
National10 hours agoPakistani Troops Launch Unprovoked Fire at J&K LoC; Indian Army Responds
-
Sports11 hours agoShambhavi Clinches Double Gold at the 23rd KSSM Championship
-
National11 hours agoBJP Leader Reacts to Bilawal Bhutto’s Indus Treaty Threat: “Pakistan’s Recurring Habit of Nonsense”
-
National8 hours agoReport: Indian Goods Valued at Over $10 Billion Enter Pakistan Despite Trade Restrictions
-
Sports11 hours agoFleming Acknowledges Auction Errors as CSK’s Playoff Chances Diminish
-
National13 hours agoCross-Border Strains: Pakistan Resumes Firing Across LoC for a Second Day