Palampur to Have Army Cantonment

Decks have been cleared for acquisition of land measuring 88 acres under tea near Palampur for the setting up of Army cantonment.
The Himachal Government on the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs explored the possibilities of transfer of land under tea along with change of land use (CLU) to the Ministry of Defence.

This process was started last year and after wide-ranging deliberations and discussions now the matter is in final stage. The state government in principal has agreed to transfer this land to Ministry of Defence as a special case.
Information gathered by The Tribune revealed that land under tea garden proposed to be transferred in the name Ministry of Defence is in the possession of tea growers who have availed the benefit of HP Land Ceiling Act 1971. Under this law, they were allowed to retain land more than ceiling limit of 30 acres as custodians not as owners.

The Law Department after studying the files has referred the matter to the Advocate General for his final opinion asking if the land was acquired by the Government of India who would be the right beneficiaries to receive the amount of compensation, the state government or the custodians?

The AG has favoured that the government is owner of land and not the custodians but it has left the matter to the Cabinet to take final decision.

Now the matter is likely to be placed before the state Cabinet at the end of this month to decide the issue of compensation.

After promulgation of the HP Land Ceiling Act 1971, most of the owners of the tea gardens and apple orchards in the state were allowed to retain excess land as custodians only to maintain the tea garden and orchards.

The land under tea and apple cultivation is in possession of these persons for the past 48 years. In the revenue record they are not owners of tea land. Therefore, they cannot sell such lands without the permission of the state government.

Source: Tribune

Image Courtesy:Tripolo