Uttarakhand CM Dhami Vows Action on Land Misuse, Reviews Uniform Civil Code Progress

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami pledges strict measures against improper land acquisitions and unveils rapid progress on the Uniform Civil Code. Interim land ban continues, with review committees in place to ensure proper implementation of laws, aiming at transparency and public interest.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on Friday that stringent actions will be taken against individuals who have acquired multiple plots of land under family names for purposes not intended by current provisions. These lands will be transferred to the state government. 'There is a prevalent law in Uttarakhand, where anyone can buy 250 square meters of land without permission outside municipal corporation areas. It has come to our attention that some people have exploited this law to buy multiple plots in family names, which violates the intended purpose of these provisions,' Dhami said at a press conference.

Highlighting the progress on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Dhami stated that significant work has been done to implement the act swiftly. 'We are seeing positive results in every field. Specifically, for the UCC, much work has been done to bring the Bill to fruition. Our ideal of transparency has also led to 17,000 recruitments without any malpractice,' he added.

In January, the Uttarakhand government imposed a temporary ban on outsiders purchasing land for agriculture and horticulture. 'On the Chief Minister's instructions, this decision was made in the public and state's interest. DMs will not issue permissions to outsiders for purchasing land for these purposes,' an official release stated. The government has set up a five-member drafting committee, led by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Radha Raturi, to scrutinize land laws. The committee's report highlighted misuse of farmland for resorts and bungalows, which contributes to landlessness among hill residents and fails to generate new jobs.

(With inputs from agencies.)