Mumbai, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a major announcement, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday stated in the Legislative Assembly that the lands held by Christian missionaries across the state will be thoroughly inspected.
The Settlement Commissioner (Jamabandi Ayukt) will conduct this investigation within the next three months.
Furthermore, the minister stated that data regarding land purchases made by non-farmers in Dhule district is being compiled. To curb illegal transactions, registration and stamp duty officers have now been granted access to a centralised database to verify whether a buyer holds a Satbara (7/12 land record extract) anywhere else in the state.
If outsiders (from other states) are found to have illegally purchased land in Dhule, a special system comprising the Divisional Commissioner and other high-ranking officials will be established to probe the matter. The land records of Christian missionaries in Nashik will be the first to be verified. Within the next three months, the Settlement Commissioner will lead this scrutiny.
A high-level committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the Divisional Commissioner to conduct an in-depth investigation. This committee will include an official from the Settlement Commissioner's office, a representative from the Police Department, and an official from the Inspector General of Registration (IGR), the minister said.
The government is considering reclaiming private lands found involved in irregularities. However, a different approach will be adopted for areas with residential developments or government buildings. A final decision will be taken following this high-level probe over the next three months, Bawankule informed.
Elaborating on the land laws, Bawankule noted that according to the tenancy laws in Dhule district, an individual must be a registered farmer to buy agricultural land in the state. However, instances of non-farmers purchasing land have come to light.
He said even near Mopa Airport, people from outside the state have come and purchased land. He added that the Settlement Commissioner is currently compiling data statewide to identify lands purchased by individuals who do not hold farmer status.
To streamline this verification, stamp duty and registration officers have been given systemic access to check the buyer's landholding history anywhere in Maharashtra during the registration process itself.
Bawankule assured that if outsiders are found to have violated rules to acquire land in Dhule, a dedicated mechanism involving the Divisional Commissioner will be set up to investigate and take action.
Source: IANS
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