Assam's Zero Tolerance on Encroachment: New Construction Ban in Key Towns

Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, announced a ban on unauthorized constructions in towns like Dibrugarh and Tinsukia, as part of a zero tolerance policy on encroachment. Meanwhile, Mission Basundhara 3.0 aims to provide land rights to indigenous communities, marking another step in the state's land reform efforts.

In a decisive move to bolster Assam's zero tolerance stance on encroachment, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a ban on new housing constructions by unauthorized individuals in towns such as Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. This is a significant part of the state's strategy to combat illegal encroachment, particularly in areas around tea gardens. The Chief Minister clarified on social media that this prohibition does not apply to tea garden workers constructing their own homes.

Highlighting the state's commitment to land reforms, Sarma recently launched Mission Basundhara 3.0 during an event in Guwahati. The initiative is designed to bestow land rights upon Assam's indigenous populace, continuing the government's ongoing efforts to prioritize land ownership for native communities since 2021.

The Mission has already achieved notable progress, with the first edition processing eight lakh applications within nine months. With MB 3.0, Sarma's government intends to expedite land allocations and enhance transparency in land-related services, further safeguarding the rights and identity of Assam's indigenous people.

(With inputs from agencies.)