GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the launch of Basundhara 3.0, aimed at ushering in changes in land management and revenue systems across the state. The initiative is slated to commence in full swing after the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
During the closing ceremony of Mission Basundhara 2.0 at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, CM Sarma revealed the government's decision to reserve revenue villages with 100 percent habitation of Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC) communities. Under Mission Basundhara 3.0, he outlined several next-generation reforms, including waiver of the 'three-generation' definition for tea and Adivasi community members applying for land rights.
Similarly, individuals from the Gorkha community will be subject to a similar system. Furthermore, ST and SC community members will no longer be required to submit three-generation certificates to obtain land rights.
The Chief Minister also announced provisions for granting land rights to organisations and cooperative societies occupying land without proper rights, under certain criteria. Additionally, residents of Sunsali areas in Guwahati and Tea Garden Grant areas in Dibrugarh will have a one-time opportunity to apply for land pattas under Mission Basundhara 3.0.
Sarma stressed the importance of utilizing allotted lands for their designated purposes, warning of penal provisions for any deviations from the policy. He called upon officials to prioritize the division of exmali pattas and announced the launch of a new service for digital delivery of geospatial maps to strengthen the state's land record system.
Additionally, he announced plans for a land revenue collection drive and urged officials to expedite the processing of land sale permission applications. He also emphasized the necessity of surveying land within char areas under Mission Basundhara 4.0, highlighting the risks posed by habitation in certain char areas to surrounding ecology and the environment.
Sarma reiterated the goal of establishing a modern land revenue system within the next five years, capable of offering innovative solutions to all land-related issues in the state. He announced plans to change designations such as mandals and Konings and urged District Commissioners to train grade III employees in land-related matters for efficient and timely delivery of land-related services.