Chitleen
K Sethi : Mohali, Thu Jul 05 2012, 03:38 hrs
Despite
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s claims of being the
saviour of village common land (shamlat) in the state, it is Governor
Shivraj Patil who has come to its rescue.
In
an almost back-door move, the state government reportedly tried to
amend the Punjab Village Common Lands Regulation Act, 1961 by
deleting a vital clause that limited the sale and use of shamlat land
in the state. The amendment was proposed to be rushed through as an
ordinance and was sent to the Governor for his signatures.
According
to sources, the Governor refused to sign on the amendment and
referred it back to the government for reconsideration.
The
sources said Patil took the decision because the amendment was
against the spirit of the said Act.
The
Punjab Village Common Lands Regulation Act provides for the
protection of shamlat land for use of common purposes of villagers.
The Act states that only 50 per cent of shamlat in a village can be
leased out or sold by the village for income. The other 50 per cent
of the land has to be retained by the village for its own use.
“However, over the years, this provision has been violated to the
point of vulgarity. Shamlat land is being sold in totality,” said a
revenue officer.
©
2012 The Indian Express Limited. All rights reserved
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