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In a significant development, the Uttarakhand government is poised to enact robust land laws that may pose challenges for non-natives seeking to purchase land and own property in the rural hill areas of the state, as reported by various sources. Drawing inspiration from the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act of 1972, the proposed legislation is designed to protect the state’s interests by imposing limitations on land acquisitions in rural hill areas.
Uttarakhand Contemplates Stringent Land Laws. The initiative stems from a report submitted by a special committee, appointed by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami over a year ago. This committee recommends stringent restrictions on land purchases in non-municipal hill regions, closely mirroring the Himachal Pradesh model.
According to a committee member, the proposed law aims to prevent non-Uttarakhand natives from acquiring land in rural hill areas, with additional provisions suggesting a cap on land purchases in urban areas. This measure is intended to address concerns about external investors potentially exploiting the state’s resources.
Restrict Property Acquisition by Non-Natives in Hill Regions. The historical context of this development lies in the fluctuating land policies of Uttarakhand. In 2003, then Chief Minister ND Tiwari allowed outsiders to buy land in hill areas, imposing a cap of 500 sqm. Subsequent governments, including the BJP-led administration under BC Khanduri, reduced this limit to 250 sqm to curb large-scale land transactions. However, in 2017, Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat lifted these restrictions to attract investments in hilly regions.
In response to protests in various districts, the state government formed a committee to study a draft report submitted by a panel led by ex-chief secretary Subhash Kumar in 2022. The recommendations may lead to the reinstatement of the 12.5-acre limit for land transactions in the hills.
Local residents are advocating for even stricter measures, proposing a reduction in the limit for municipal areas to 250 sqm and advocating for a complete ban on rural land sales, according to reports. This potential shift in land laws reflects the state’s ongoing efforts to strike a balance between attracting investments and safeguarding the interests of its residents and resources.
