Assam to Introduce New Land Laws to Protect Indigenous Rights

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the state government is working on new legislation to restrict land sales and purchases in certain areas to families who can prove residency in Assam since 1951. The law aims to protect the land rights of indigenous people and provide land to eligible landless residents. Sarma also mentioned upcoming laws to prevent land transactions among Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in the undivided Goalpara district. Additionally, restrictions will be imposed on land sales near cultural and religious sites and on converting tea cultivation land for non-tea purposes without government approval. The new legislation is expected to be introduced in March.