Government Revises Transfer Guidelines for Salt Lands

The government has updated guidelines for transferring salt lands, favoring online auctions for private sector participation when no public bodies are interested. The land allocations prioritize welfare projects and can be offered at reduced rates to state and central public sector enterprises. These new norms replace the 2012 policies and were approved by the Cabinet.

The government on Monday revised the guidelines for transferring government-owned salt lands, introducing online auctions to encourage private sector participation if there are no takers from central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) or state bodies.

Revised guidelines allow land allocation for welfare initiatives such as slum redevelopment, affordable housing, and PM-Awas Yojana. For educational purposes, lands can be assigned to CPSEs and states at 25% of the circle rate.

The Cabinet approved these changes, which replace the 2012 guidelines. The Salt Commissioner's Office, headquartered in Jaipur and under DPIIT's administrative control, plays a key role in managing these revisions.

(With inputs from agencies.)