GUWAHATI: The Assam government has officially rolled out Mission Basundhara 3.0, marking the final phase of its ambitious program aimed at safeguarding the land rights of the state's indigenous population. The launch event, held at Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra on Sunday, saw Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma outlining the initiative's key objectives and distinctions from other schemes like Orunodoi.
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“While Orunodoi is designed to benefit a wide range of people, Mission Basundhara 3.0 is specifically focused on ensuring rightful land ownership for the people of Assam. The goal is to guarantee that only deserving individuals receive land pattas (ownership documents),” the Chief Minister stated during the launch.
To qualify for benefits under Mission Basundhara 3.0 or to obtain a land patta, applicants must provide evidence of residency in Assam since 1951, or prove that their family has resided in the state for three generations over 75 years. However, the new phase has relaxed eligibility rules for certain communities, including tea tribes, Adivasis, Gorkhas, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes, who can qualify by submitting refugee certificates issued before March 25, 1971.
The Chief Minister also introduced stringent measures to prevent unauthorised access to government land and the associated benefits. An expanded scope of the initiative now includes tea, coffee, and rubber cultivators, enabling them to access financial aid and benefits.
“In the past, small tea growers used government land without ownership rights, which limited their ability to secure loans from banks. Under Mission Basundhara 3.0, these cultivators will now be able to apply for financial assistance to enhance their production,” Sarma explained. He added that the settlement premium for coffee and rubber cultivation has been set at ₹5,000 per bigha.
Speaking at a press briefing after the launch, the Chief Minister highlighted ongoing land reforms in the state, particularly the digitisation of land records. He announced plans to introduce land passbooks to further accelerate the digitisation process, with the goal of completing it within the next one to two years.
In addition, Sarma emphasised the use of technology in making land documents more accessible, stating that digital maps will soon be incorporated into land surveys.