CM Dhami Highlights Land Reforms as Uttarakhand Government Marks 4 Years

Speedy Summary

• Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami celebrated four years in office, highlighting achievements such as amendments to the state’s land laws.
• Strict land law amendments affecting 11 districts (excluding Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar) align with public sentiment and aim to restrict misuse of agricultural and horticultural lands.
• Key reforms under these laws include decision-making regarding land sales shifting from the collector level to the state government level for industrial and agricultural purposes in most districts.
• Land purchases for residential projects over 250 square meters now require a mandatory affidavit; false affidavits may result in state confiscation of the land.
• For tourism, industry, or educational purposes, there is now a ceiling of 12.5 acres on purchases outside municipal limits in 11 districts; additional permissions can be sought for larger plots in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar only.
• The government sought stakeholder input through consultations at district and tehsil levels before finalizing reforms.
• Other initiatives highlighted include anti-corruption measures targeting both “small fish” and “big fish,” removal of over 6,500 acres of encroached land, anti-riot legislation, anti-conversion laws, and model anti-cheating measures.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The stringent amendments to Uttarakhand’s land law represent an effort by the state government to regulate resource allocation while curbing unauthorized practices like misuse or illegal occupation by “land mafias.” By centralizing decision-making at the state level for key districts while involving stakeholders during consultations,these reforms display a balance between governance centralization and public engagement.

Key socioeconomic implications could emerge from changes like ceasing approvals at local administrative levels (e.g., collectors), which might reduce opportunities for decentralization-led flexibility but enhance uniformity across decisions statewide. Further measures like mandatory affidavits aim to increase accountability among buyers but add procedural complexity that could impact smaller stakeholders.

The complementary focus on corruption crackdown reinforces intentions toward systemic transparency across sectors beyond just real estate governance-a crucial step amid broader developmental challenges facing hilly regions with limited cultivable land resources.

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