Over 11,200 tillers in Punjab to get ownership rights over land as Prez gives assent to Bill
The Hindu
The legislation would empower tillers who belong mostly to economically and socially weaker sections of society who will get benefits like landowners
More than 11,200 tillers in Punjab, occupying over 4,000 acres of land for generations but with no title rights, will get the ownership after paying due compensation, as President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to a legislation to this effect, officials said on Thursday.
The Punjab Bhondedar, Butemar, Dohlidar, Insar Miadi, Mukarraridar, Mundhimar, Panahi Qadeem, Saunjidar, or Taraddadkar (Vesting of Proprietary Rights) Bill, 2020 was passed by the Punjab Assembly in 2020, when the Congress government led by Amarinder Singh was in power. The occupants or their predecessor should have been recorded in the above-mentioned categories for a period of at least 20 years on the appointed day.
"The President gave assent to the Bill passed by the Punjab Assembly," an official said.
It is expected that the legislation would empower the tillers who belong mostly to the economically and socially weaker sections of society, the official said.
The tenants have been in occupation of small parcels of land for many years, and inherit their rights by succession from one generation to the other.
However, not being registered owners, they neither have access to financial institutions for loans nor get relief for any natural disaster.
Now, they will get benefits like other landowners.