GUWAHATI: The Government of Assam has introduced stringent measures to combat illegal housing developments on tea garden land as part of Mission Bashundhara 3.0.
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The Chief Minister's Office announced this initiative on X, emphasising its commitment to safeguarding the rights of indigenous people living on these lands, saying, “Govt. of Assam, led by HCM Dr. @himantabiswa, has implemented strict measures to address illegal housing on tea garden land under #MissionBashundhara3, with special provisions for indigenous people living there before Dec 31, 2022.”.
In line with recommendations from the Justice (Retd.) Biplab Sharma Commission, the new provisions impose strict prohibitions on unauthorized construction in tea plantation areas. Under the new regulations, any new building activity on tea garden land will be classified as a criminal offence, reinforcing the government's zero-tolerance approach to illegal developments.
However, individuals who have resided on tea garden land prior to December 31, 2022, will have the opportunity to secure a one-time relief option to acquire the land at a 10% premium. It is important to note that these guidelines do not affect members of the tea plantation community who are constructing homes on their own land, thereby allowing them to continue without hindrance.