By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 17 Mar: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed all District Magistrates in the state to ensure that land purchased in violation of the law is vested in the government with due procedure at the earliest. This directive comes following a significant amendment in the land laws in the state, which restrict purchase of land by outsiders in 11 districts of the state. Dehradun has emerged as the leading district in such cases, with action already initiated in approximately 282 instances of land law violations.
Following CM Dhami’s orders, the Dehradun District Magistrate instructed all Tehsildars and SDMs to investigate. So far, over 200 hectares of land purchased by outsiders in violation of the law have been identified. The district administration has taken possession of these 200 hectares of land and notices have been issued to the landowners, giving them a final chance to present their case. If they fail to justify their claims, the government will take over the disputed land.
In Dehradun, the majority of cases stem from the Vikasnagar Tehsil area. According to District Magistrate Savin Bansal, action is being carried out continuously under CM Dhami’s directives. Complaints have been received regarding the construction of large apartments and farmhouses on agricultural land. The administration has received over 390 complaints, of which action has been taken in 282 cases. So far, 107.012 hectares of land in Vikasnagar, 2.82 hectares in Doiwala, and 21.89 hectares in Rishikesh have been identified as having been purchased in violation of land laws.
Besides, Dehradun, large-scale violations of land laws have been reported in Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar as well. The government’s crackdown on such cases is ongoing.
Chief Minister Dhami has stated that he will review land law violation cases weekly with officials. A government order has also been issued, stating that if land is purchased illegally or not used for its intended purpose, immediate legal action should be taken towards vesting the land in the government.
