GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that any sale or transfer of land between individuals of different religions in the state will require government approval before proceeding.
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In a recent video shared on X, Sarma explained that the decision has been taken based on recommendations from the Justice Biplab Sharma Committee, which examined Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. He stated that in selected revenue blocks, only indigenous people of Assam would be allowed to buy and sell land.
"Assam is a very sensitive state, and we want to avoid any communal disturbances,” Sarma said. “Last year, we banned inter-religious land transfers, but it was deemed unconstitutional. Now, we have allowed it, but such transactions must be approved by the state government.”
“Each case will be carefully scrutinised before permission is granted," the chief minister added.
Finance Minister Ajanta Neog had also reiterated this announcement in her budget speech at the the ongoing state assembly.
Additionally, the state government has proposed expanding land ownership restrictions beyond tribal belts and blocks under Chapter X of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (ALRR). New revenue circles will now be designated where only indigenous people can own and possess land.
