Uttarakhand Government Cracks Down on Land Purchase Violations

The Uttarakhand government, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, plans to investigate and reclaim land illegally acquired under current land purchase rules. They will also review and potentially revise recent regulatory changes to preserve the state's unique geographical character.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami revealed on Friday that current land purchase rules are being violated by some residents. Dhami announced that while individuals can buy up to 250 square meters of land outside municipal areas without permission, some families are exploiting this rule by purchasing land under different names. Addressing reporters in Dehradun, Dhami confirmed that the government will investigate the matter and reclaim land acquired through such means.

Dhami also announced that individuals who acquired land for business activities such as tourism and industry but failed to use it for those purposes would face strict action. These lands too will be vested back to the state government. The Chief Minister added that the existing rules made in 2017 regarding land purchase will be reviewed. If necessary, some of these regulations, like abolishing the maximum limit of 12.5 acres and district officials' authorization for permissions, might be rescinded.

Emphasizing the need to safeguard Uttarakhand's unique characteristics, Dhami assured that the steps being taken are not intended to hinder investments that generate employment in sectors like tourism, education, and trade. He stated that the government plans to introduce a comprehensive land law reflecting the state's geographical conditions in the next budget session. Dhami reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the land law issues akin to other longstanding matters his government has addressed since March 2021. Earlier this year, the government had also imposed a temporary ban on outsiders buying land for agriculture and horticulture. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)