Assam Introduces Land Transaction Restrictions for Residents

Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans for new legislation to restrict land transactions in certain revenue circles to individuals who have resided in the state since at least 1951, aiming to protect indigenous land rights and provide settlement rights to landless residents. This 'bold law' is expected to be introduced in March 2024 and will also include provisions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in the undivided Goalpara district. The announcement was made during the launch of the e-Chitha Land Valuation Certification portal, which aims to enhance transparency in land ownership. The government is also working on additional laws to protect core agricultural land and limit non-agricultural land sales without consent. These measures align with recommendations from the Justice (retd) Biplab Sarma Commission, which seeks to safeguard the interests of Assamese people and implement constitutional protections under the Assam Accord of 1985. The state's commitment to these reforms is positioned as essential for the survival of Assam's indigenous communities.