Government Introduces Ordinance to Amend Land Act, Addressing Squatter Issues
Summary
The government has introduced an ordinance to amend the Land Act, aiming to provide land to more than two and a half lakh landless squatters. The move clears a path for land distribution, but concerns remain over revenue charges, excluded unorganized settlers, and implementation challenges.
Key Points
- The government’s new ordinance amends the Land Act and is intended to help landless squatters obtain land, including in some forest areas and public land.
- The ordinance sets a two-year deadline for distribution and allows the state to levy revenue of 12% for residential land and 5% for agricultural land.
- Stakeholders worry that charging revenue could exclude poor squatters and that more than 9.5 lakh unorganized settlers have been left out.
- Questions remain about implementation capacity, land identification, and whether the committee structure can resolve disputes impartially.
