What is Mission Basundhara 2.0
On November 11, 2022, the Governor of Assam launched Mission Basundhara 2.0, a mission-mode project aimed at purifying land records in the state by incorporating additional services to accelerate the settlement of land cases and confer ownership rights. The project was launched following the approval of the Cabinet on October 29, 2022, as a sequel to Mission Basundhara 1.0, which was implemented successfully.
Contents
Aim of Mission Basundhara
The Mission Basundhara 2.0 project covers various services, including the settlement of Annual Patta (AP) land transferred from the original patta holder, settlement of hereditary land of tribal communities, settlement of land for indigenous special cultivators, conferring ownership rights to occupancy tenants, settlement of Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) land for individuals, settlement of government ‘Khas’ and ‘Ceiling Surplus’ land, and extension of composite land transfer service (Auto – mutation) throughout Assam. Additionally, the online collection of land revenue has also been included as a service under the project.
Eligibility
To avail of these services, applicants must apply through the Assam Rights to Public Services Portal mentioned below. The timeline for application submission for the first six aforementioned services is from November 14, 2022, to January 10, 2023. The seventh and eighth services will be continuous services. All applications found in order in all respects will be disposed of within August 5, 2023.
There will be user fees for the services mentioned above as per the rates notified under the Assam Right to Public Services Act, 2012.
The Land Policy, 2019, has been amended to include provisions for the Mission Basundhara 2.0 project. Under clause 1.7 of the Land Policy, 2019, after ‘Explanation 2,’ an ‘Explanation 3’ is inserted as – “A person whose family has been residing in the state continuously for the last three generations or more as on 1st January 2022, will be regarded as an indigenous person for the purpose of entitlement for getting a settlement of land under Mission Basundhara 2.0.”
After clause 1.18 of the Land Policy, 2019, clause 1.19 has been inserted to allow for the settlement of hereditary land inclusive of land for homestead, ordinary cultivation, or any land in rural areas of the state in possession of tribal families for the past three generations, up to 50 bighas under Mission Basundhara 2.0.
Under Mission Basundhara 2.0, land under VGRs and PGRs will be settled with members of eligible categories. Allotters under Minimum Needs Programmed and their legal heirs having undisputed possession, families who have become landless laborers due to erosion, and ethnic violence and rehabilitated by administrative measures in VGR/PGR, families displaced as refugees, holding refugee certificates and rehabilitated in VGR/PGR by administrative order, and landless members of Schedule Caste and Scheduled Tribe are among the eligible categories. Settlement of VGR and PGR land will be granted for homestead purposes up to 1 bigha to an individual of the eligible category. An equal quantum of government land should be reserved subject to availability in the same revenue village, mouza, circle, or district while de-reserving for the said purpose as an open space and be kept free from encroachment, settlement, or any form of transfer.
Second Phase of Mission Basundhara
The state government of Assam has launched the second phase of Mission Basundhara with a view to expediting the process of land settlement in the state. The mission aims to provide landless people with residential and agricultural land, thereby facilitating the growth of the agriculture sector in the state. The mission also seeks to achieve social and economic development by settling land disputes.
The following is an overview of the important provisions of the mission-
Reservation of Land- The mission proposes that an equal quantum of government land be reserved as an open space subject to availability in the same revenue village, mouza, revenue circle, and district, and be kept free from encroachment or settlement. This land will be over and above the government land ranging from 5 to 15 bighas reserved in each village as per Land Policy, 2019.
Settlement of Land- The mission states that while granting settlement of VGR and PGR land, administrative mandate prior to January 1, 2011, will be mandatory, and no new settlement will be considered. This is a one-time measure under Mission Basundhara 2.0, and it shall cease to have effect after December 31, 2023. However, the review of rejected cases will be completed by December 31, 2023.
Tea Periodic Patta- The mission proposes that Tea Periodic Patta or Special Periodic Patta shall be issued for lands settled for special cultivation of tea, and the class of land to be made ‘plantation Miyagi.’
Restructuring the Land Advisory Committee- The mission amends Clause 19.1 of the Land Policy, 2019, to include a Sub-Divisional Land Advisory Committee with the Deputy Commissioner as the Chairman and the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) as the member secretary for each civil Sub-Division.
Rationalization of Premium on Settlement of Land- The mission rationalizes the premium rate for the settlement of land in Guwahati city, municipal, revenue towns, and rural areas for both homestead and ordinary cultivation purposes. There will be a 25% concession in the premium liability for eligible categories under Land Policy, 2019.
Compensation to be paid by the Occupancy Tenant to the Landlord- The mission states that the compensation to be paid by the occupancy tenant to the landlord under the service conferring ownership right to occupancy tenants will be as per the Assam (Temporarily Settled Areas) Tenancy Act, 1971.
Settlement of Land for Special Cultivation- The premium for settlement of land for special cultivation (tea, coffee, and rubber) will be as per extant policies.
Aadhaar Authentication of the Applicant- Aadhaar authentication of the applicant will be performed on a voluntary basis for the services of ‘Mission Basundhara.’
Exemption- Mission Basundhara 2.0 will not include the settlement of any land encroached in recent years on an organized basis and in riverine areas because of ecological reasons. However, Majuli is an exception as that area has the nature of a permanent island.
No settlement of land belonging to any department, PSU, cooperation, Religious institution, Satra, Namghar, etc., will be allowed.
In conclusion, Mission Basundhara 2.0 is a significant initiative of the Assam government aimed at facilitating land settlement and resolving land disputes. The mission’s provisions are designed to expedite the process of land settlement, promote agricultural development, and ensure social and economic growth.
End Date
The Mission Basundhara 2.0 scheme is an important initiative undertaken by the government to provide basic services to people residing in rural areas. The scheme is aimed at bridging the gap between urban and rural areas by providing access to various services such as housing, sanitation, electricity, etc.
The last date for submission of applications for receiving services under Mission Basundhara 2.0 is extended till March 31, 2023, from the earlier cut-off application date of January 10, 2023. This decision has been taken to ensure that a maximum number of people can avail of the benefits of this scheme.
The extended time till March 31, 2023, should be utilized to encourage people to avail of online application facilities to the maximum possible extent with the help of CSC and PFC. This will not only make the application process easier but will also reduce the workload of government officials. The online application process will ensure that the applications are processed quickly and efficiently.
It is also important to note that all out efforts should be made to reach every eligible person through data-driven micro-IEC, and community mobilization through Rajah Adalats/Gaon Sabhas. This will ensure that even the remotest of areas are covered under this scheme, and the benefits of the scheme reach the maximum number of people.
In light of the above, it is requested that proactive steps are taken to facilitate the application process within the aforementioned timeline. The extension of the last date for submission of applications is an opportunity to ensure that a maximum number of people are able to benefit from this scheme. It is the responsibility of government officials to ensure that the application process is made as easy and accessible as possible for people from all walks of life.
FAQ
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What is Mission Basundhara 2.0
On November 11, 2022, the Governor of Assam launched Mission Basundhara 2.0, a mission-mode project aimed at purifying land records in the state by incorporating additional services to accelerate the settlement of land cases and confer ownership rights. The project was launched following the approval of the Cabinet on October 29, 2022, as a sequel to Mission Basundhara 1.0, which was implemented successfully.