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Assam Grants Land Rights to Lakhs of Indigenous & Tea Garden Families

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the state government has provided land rights to lakhs of indigenous families through its Mission Basundhara initiative. He stated that over 2.3 lakh families have become landowners, fulfilling the government's promise to protect "Jati, Mati, Bheti". The government has also granted land pattas to around 35 lakh tea garden families for line lands within estates. These reforms aim to address historical land ownership issues and provide legal security to communities.

Key Points: Assam Land Rights for Indigenous Families Under Mission Basundhara

  • 2.3 lakh families became landowners
  • Land freed from illegal encroachment
  • 35 lakh tea garden families granted pattas
  • Mission Basundhara streamlines land records
2 min read

Lakhs of indigenous families given land rights: Assam CM

Assam CM Himanta Sarma says over 2.3 lakh families granted land rights, fulfilling 'Jati, Mati, Bheti' pledge to protect indigenous communities.

"Assam's lands are for its people, not for encroachers. - Himanta Biswa Sarma"

Guwahati, March 16

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday that the state government has provided land rights to lakhs of indigenous families through its flagship land settlement initiatives, asserting that the move fulfils the state government's commitment to protect "Jati, Mati, Bheti".

In a post on social media platform X, Chief Minister Sarma said the state government has taken major steps to ensure land ownership for indigenous communities and tea garden workers while also freeing land from illegal encroachments.

Highlighting the progress under 'Mission Basundhara', the Chief Minister noted that more than 2.3 lakh families have become landowners through the initiative, which aims to streamline land records and provide land rights to eligible beneficiaries.

"Staying true to our promise of protecting 'Jati, Mati, Bheti', our government has not only freed up lands from the clutches of encroachers but also given indigenous people land rights for the first time since Independence," Chief Minister Sarma said.

He added that around 35 lakh tea garden families have been granted land pattas for tea estate line lands, a step that seeks to provide legal ownership and security to workers living in tea estates for generations.

According to Chief Minister Sarma, the state government's land reforms are intended to address long-standing issues related to land ownership, improve socio-economic security and empower communities that historically lacked legal rights over the land they inhabit.

He also reiterated the state government's stand against illegal encroachment, saying that land in Assam must be preserved for its rightful residents.

"Assam's lands are for its people, not for encroachers," the Chief Minister said in the post on X.

The Assam government launched 'Mission Basundhara' as a comprehensive programme to resolve land-related issues, including settlement of land rights, correction of land records and distribution of land pattas to eligible families.

The initiative forms a key part of the state government's broader policy aimed at strengthening land governance while ensuring that indigenous communities and tea garden workers receive legal recognition and protection of their land holdings.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally, some concrete action for the tea garden workers! My grandfather worked in a tea estate all his life without any security. Granting land pattas for line lands is a historic move that will empower generations. A long-overdue justice.
R
Rohit P
Protecting indigenous land is crucial, but the government must be absolutely transparent. Who exactly are these "encroachers" being removed? The process should be fair and lawful, not used to target any specific community. The focus should be on documented, legal evictions only.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has visited Assam, the connection people have with their land is profound. Streamlining land records through Mission Basundhara is a massive administrative task. If done right, it can reduce countless property disputes and bring peace to families.
V
Vikram M
Good news, but the real test is on the ground. 2.3 lakh families is a big number. We need to see if these pattas are being distributed without corruption and if the poorest are actually benefiting. Hope this isn't just an election-season announcement.
K
Kavya N
This addresses a core issue in the Northeast. When people have legal ownership, they invest in their land, improve agriculture, and build better homes. It's a foundation for real development. Kudos for taking this initiative! 👏

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