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CM Sarma also clarified that the same procedure will apply if NGOs from outside Assam seek to buy land in the state
In a sensitive state like Assam, the transfer of land between two religious groups needs to be handled very carefully, said CM Sarma (File Photo)
The Assam Cabinet has laid down a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for land transactions between people of different religions, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Wednesday.
Under the new rules, if a Hindu sells land to a Muslim, or a Muslim to a Hindu, or to someone from another faith such as Christianity, Buddhism, or Jainism, the deal will be categorised as an “inter-religion transaction” and will have to go through a detailed verification process.
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“In a sensitive state like Assam, the transfer of land between two religious groups needs to be handled very carefully,” CM Sarma said while addressing a press briefing after the Cabinet meeting.
Step-by-Step Process For Inter-Religion Land Sales
- The application must first be submitted to the Circle Officer.
- After preliminary verification, the proposal will be forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner (DC).
- If the transaction is between parties of the same religion, no special checks are needed.
- In case of inter-religion transactions, the DC will send the file to the Revenue Department.
- A nodal officer in the Revenue Department will then forward it to the Special Branch (SB) of Assam Police.
The Special Branch will then conduct checks on four key points:
- Validity of land ownership and forgery detection in documents.
- Source of funds of the buyer to rule out black money or illegal transactions.
- Possible impact of the land transfer on the social fabric.
- Any potential threat to national security.
- Once the SB submits its report, the DC will take the final call on whether to approve or reject the transaction.
Rules for NGOs
CM Sarma also clarified that the same procedure will apply if NGOs from outside Assam seek to buy land in the state. “We have seen many NGOs from outside, like Kerala, purchasing land and establishing institutions, which may be a threat to national security in the coming years. If such NGOs want to buy land, they must follow this procedure,” he said. However, NGOs registered within Assam will not face these additional checks.
- Location :
Guwahati [Gauhati], India, India
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