Land law has always been a topic of discussion for different states.  The purpose of the law is to protect the land interests of the state but behind it it is equally necessary to continue the development of the state. There is a need for a uniform land reform law covering certain points.

1 Suppose there is a ban on the purchase of land by outsiders from the state in any state, then the external investment in that state will also stop.  The result will be a collapse in land prices, which will benefit the land mafia there.  Whoever has less land than the sustenance land, he will have to sell his land to the local person under compulsion at one price.

 

2 If the price of land in any state is touching the sky today and its residents are getting rich, then the main reason is for outsiders to settle and invest there.

 What is necessary!

1 Any citizen of India can buy 300 square meters of land for residence in any state of India, but within a radius of one thousand meters from any religious place, a non-religious person from that religious place will not be allowed. District Magistrate’s permission will be required for such a purchase.

For land of more than 300 square meters but less than one acre, permission of the District Magistrate of the state government will be required for purchase; for land of one acre or above, permission of the state government will be mandatory.

2 Neither residential plots can be cut on any land without the approval of the layout from the competent authority, nor can they be sold without basic amenities like road, water, electricity and drainage arrangements.

3 Multistorey flats should be allowed on large plots of land in developed colonies.

4 Large tracts of land have been bought and left vacant in and around the cities.  Even tracing their owners is not easy.  The possibility also cannot be ruled out that a large chunk of black money has also been used in such assets.  Therefore, the government should require that such owners obtain approval of the map within one year, construct the building within three years, and ensure that the new buyer completes construction within three years from the registered deed.  Failure to do so will result in a fine of five per cent per annum of the purchase price of the land from the landowner. This penalty should be increased to 10% per annum after five years.  Relaxation of this rule can be granted to a group housing scheme.  With this, not only will the vacant land be used, but unnecessary land purchases can also be avoided.  The residential plot will be available to the actual consumer at a reasonable price.  Especially for the low-income group it will become accessible to build their own house.

5 Pollution-free industrial units and other industries should be allowed outside the city only in the identified areas.

6 It is necessary to form a Resident Welfare Committee in all the colonies, and nomination of the member or his representative should be done as an invited member, so that the essential services can be operated with the cooperation of the public.

7 Jhuggi huts should not be allowed on government land within any city’s boundaries.  Instead, low-priced group residences should be allotted on approved land.  Intensive efforts should be made to shift the presently settled jhuggi/ huts residents to such places.

8 The system of sleeping in public places should be abolished by providing a place for destitute persons in every city.

9 All land banks have the first lien of the national government, being the nation’s property. The government should enact a law to acquire any land or building by paying twice the circle rate, without any legal dispute, provided the said property is used for public convenience/ defence, or government infrastructure. The industrialist may do so with the consent of the owners or by paying four times the property’s cycle rate.