Patiala, October 24, 2023: A recent research conducted by Punjabi University, Patiala, has identified various features and hurdles in the implementation of land reform laws in Himachal Pradesh.
The research, conducted by Kusum Verma, a research scholar under the guidance of Anupam Ahluwalia at the law department, found that the departments concerned in the state do not have the complete information and data pertaining to land reforms.
Verma said that she had sought information with regard to Himachal Pradesh Nautor Land Rules, 1968, which entails the provisions made by state government to allocate land to the land-less and poor sections of the state. While districts including Lahaul and Spiti, Bilaspur, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba and Kangra sent the requisite information, others failed to do so.
“We found that the land allotted under the act was sold by the recipients after a particular time period, which is contrary to the objective of the act,” she said.
Other issues highlighted in the research include:
- Lack of uniformity in land records at the national, state and district level
- Lack of clarity owing to usage of Urdu language in certain provisions
- Unequal and patriarchal nature of century old land laws of tribal areas, wherein only male members of the family can inherit the property in case there is no will
Anupam Ahluwalia also pointed out the unequal and patriarchal nature of century old land laws of tribal areas, wherein only male members of the family can inherit the property in case there is no will.
