Non-Agricultural People May Be Permitted to Buy Agricultural Land in Gujarat Soon
The Gujarat government is contemplating an evolution in policy that would allow non-agricultural persons to buy agricultural land. In this policy, the state agriculture sector will be accelerated besides an accelerated rate of industrialization.
Gujarat Considers Allowing Non-Farmers to Buy Agricultural Land
After closely reading a committee report headed by CL Meena, which makes numerous suggestions relating to land reforms, including that of allowing non-farmers to purchase agricultural land, the state government is deliberating over the proposals and might come up with a decision in the near future. Currently, most states in India allow non-farmers to buy agricultural lands and hence rarely confront issues of spurious or false farmers. In Gujarat, this remains an exception, and there have been a few cases where people had declared themselves to be farmers to get such agricultural land. In the context, the government has already elicited the district collectors and revenue officers' opinions regarding a transparent and fairer policy on the matter.
The government has also sought public opinion over revised land valuation rates or Jantri Rates. These are being considered and put up for public opinion. The land acquisitions would be reviewed by the district collectors with the Revenue Department as a step-wise measure. The Satellite monitoring will be used for monitoring the government land utilization and errant claims and it has plans to initiate action against errant parties.
Further, improvements are in place regarding online services of the departments like applications for a non-agricultural status, life rights, succession, and farmer certification. Inputs from these 36 online services by the public would be taken into account so that reformation can be made in making the services user-friendly, efficient services. The Gujarat government's expected announcement can prove to be a watershed moment for land policy; the same can revolutionize agricultural investments as well as regulations governing the ownership of lands.
