Dehra Dun, Sept 14: An ordinance has been promulgated in Uttaranchal stopping outsiders from purchasing land in the state. Aiming at checking uncontrolled land transactions, the ordinance was issued on September 12, an official release quoting principal secretary, revenue, S K Das, said.

As per the ordinance, only farmers and their family members whose names are duly registered in the government revenue records would be able to buy agriculture land. However, the ordinance would have no effect on the industrialists who want to set up their units in the state. Similarly, there would be no need to take prior permission to purchase land for setting up religious, medical, cultural and educational institutions in the state.

But a person, who is not a farmer as per the revenue records would have to seek permission from the district magistrate to buy agriland in the state, the ordinance said.

It also bars transaction of land through power of attorney. Top officials asserted the move would end the stranglehold of land mafias in the state and comes in the wake of longstanding demand of political and social organizations.

Bureau Report