Uttarakhand government approves strict land law prohibiting outsiders from buying agricultural and horticultural land in 11 districts, marking a significant shift in state's land regulation policy.
The Uttarakhand government has enacted a groundbreaking land law that prohibits non-residents from purchasing agricultural and horticultural land across 11 of the state’s 13 districts. The landmark decision, approved by the state cabinet on Wednesday, aims to preserve the state’s cultural heritage and protect local resources.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who spearheaded this initiative, described it as a “historic step” for the state. “This historic step will protect the resources of the state, cultural heritage and the rights of the citizens, as well as play an important role in maintaining the original identity of the state,” Dhami announced on social media platform X.
"राज्य, संस्कृति और मूल स्वरूप की रक्षक हमारी सरकार !"
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) February 19, 2025
प्रदेश की जनता की लंबे समय से उठ रही मांग और उनकी भावनाओं का पूरी तरह सम्मान करते हुए आज कैबिनेट ने सख्त भू-कानून को मंजूरी दे दी है। यह ऐतिहासिक कदम राज्य के संसाधनों, सांस्कृतिक धरोहर और नागरिकों के अधिकारों की रक्षा… pic.twitter.com/FvANZxWiEB
Key Features of the New Land Law:
- Complete ban on agricultural land purchase by outsiders in 11 districts
- Exemptions only for Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts
- Removal of District Magistrates’ authority to approve such land transactions
- Reversal of previous 250 square meter allowance for non-residents
The new legislation represents a significant shift from previous policies. In 2003, the Congress government under ND Tiwari had set a 500-square-meter limit on land purchases by non-residents, which was later reduced to 250 square meters in 2008 during BJP’s BC Khanduri’s tenure. The 2018 decision by former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat to remove purchase caps had sparked concerns about unrestricted land acquisition by outsiders.
Ajendra Ajay, outgoing chairman of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee and member of the government-appointed review committee, endorsed the decision: “The Cabinet has respected public sentiments by approving the Land Law Amendment Bill.”
The legislation addresses growing public concern over diminishing agricultural land and aims to protect Uttarakhand’s original identity. The draft law is scheduled for introduction during the ongoing Budget Session of the Assembly.
