PANAJI
The State government has proposed changes in the rules to empower mamlatdars to transfer tenanted agricultural land in cases where it is needed for ‘public purpose’ as defined in the land acquisition laws.
The change proposed will also be applicable in cases where such tenanted agricultural land is required for a community purpose either by a panchayat or urban local body, says the notification which invites objections and suggestions from the public to these draft changes in the rules under section 18K of the Agricultural Tenancy Act.
Currently, such transfer of land was permitted only for educational purpose or for a handful of agriculture related activities. When the proposed changes go through, transfer will be possible for all the ‘public purposes’ defined in the 2013 Central land acquisition law “ the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act.
Community or public purposes proposed by panchayats and civic bodies will also be eligible for transfer of tenanted agricultural land by mamlatdars.
