GUWAHATI: On the final day of the Autumn session, the Assam Assembly approved significant amendments to two land-related laws, including one that addresses the reclassification of agricultural land.
The amendments, moved by Assam Revenue Minister Jogen Mohan, aim to streamline land-use policies and provide clarity on land rights, particularly concerning land allocated for tea cultivation.
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One of the key amendments, titled ‘The Assam Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holdings (Amendment) Bill, 2024,’ focuses on the transfer of “special land”—primarily designated for tea cultivation—for alternative uses upon payment of a premium.
Minister Mohan explained that the amendments were introduced to resolve long-standing issues faced by people who have settled on tea garden lands for decades.
“The government land cannot be given away for free; therefore, people will need to pay a premium for it,” Mohan stated.
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He further highlighted a crucial change in the bill that permits individuals to sell the land to a third party immediately after it is converted to revenue land, eliminating the waiting period that was previously required under the original act.
During the debate, Congress MLA Bharat Chandra Narah raised concerns over a provision in the bill that imposes both a fine and imprisonment for transferring special land for non-tea purposes without official approval.
Narah argued that this constituted “double punishment” for the same offense, as the government would already reclaim the land in such cases.
However, Minister Mohan dismissed this claim, affirming that both penalties would apply.
Another Congress MLA, Sherman Ali Ahmed, opposed the imposition of a premium on land transferred with official approval, but this suggestion was also rejected by the minister.
The Assembly also passed ‘The Assam Agricultural Land (Regulation of Reclassification and Transfer for Non-Agricultural Purpose) (Amendment) Bill, 2024,’ another bill introduced by Minister Mohan.
During the discussion, Narah advocated for waiving the premium for the establishment of minor industries on reclassified agricultural land.
He suggested that while premiums could be charged for medium or major industries, minor industries should be exempt.
Additionally, he called for a specific timeframe for processing applications for the reclassification of agricultural land.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika responded by asserting that even a minimal premium must be charged to prevent individuals from holding onto more land than allowed under the guise of setting up minor industries.
He also assured that the government would ensure time-bound processing of reclassification applications, in line with its ease of doing business policy.
Narah also highlighted ambiguities in the provision stating that agricultural land, if notified as commercial but no industry is established within three years, would revert to its agricultural status.
AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam added that the amendment bill does not permit continued agricultural activities on land reclassified as commercial.
Minister Mohan clarified that provisions in the original act, which allow agricultural activities on reclassified land, would still apply.
In addition to the land-related amendments, the Assembly passed ‘The Assam Right to Public Services (Amendment) Bill, 2024’ and ‘The Assam Motor Vehicle Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2024.’
Assan Transport Minister Keshab Mahanta, in discussing the motor vehicle taxation bill, emphasized that the amendment was not intended to raise taxes but to offer relief to vehicle owners, particularly those with small passenger commercial vehicles.