HP reveals names of non-locals buying agri land

The Himachal Pradesh government today gave names of every non-local in Himachal Pradesh allowed to buy land under the HP Tenancy and land Reforms Act during the last three years.

Giving a written reply to Congress leader Kaul Singh Thakur’s question the state public works department (PWD) minister Gulab Singh told the legislative assembly that 862 outsiders (non Himachalis) were allowed to purchase land in various parts of the hill state since January 2008. Names of each buyer were provided.

He said during the same period, permission was given by the state government for another category. Atleast 328 non-agriculturist locals were also allowed to buy agricultural land under section 118 of the state Tenancy and Land reforms act.

According to the law, outsiders and also non-agriculturist locals are usually not allowed to buy agriculture land in the state.

The PWD minister said permission is given for agriculture land which should not exceed four acres for building a residential house and a shop. And also for setting up of an industrial unit, a charitable religious or public utility service, for construction of a hotel, building of apartments, hydel projects, IT and BT units.

Selling of land to non-locals and non-agriculturists locals is a contentious issue in Himachal Pradesh and successive governments have been misusing this law over the years.