Haryana Cabinet Approves Ordinance to Amend Village Common Land Rules

The state cabinet approved an ordinance on Friday to amend the rule concerning the use of village common land. The ordinance aims to modify the Haryana Village Common Lands Regulation Act 1961, specifically regarding the ownership of shamlat deh land, which is reserved for common purposes in villages.

Representative image

According to the proposed amendment, land in shamlat deh that was leased for 20 years under the East Punjab Utilization of Lands Act 1949 and has been cultivated by the original allottee, transferee, or their legal heirs will be excluded from shamlat deh ownership immediately. An official statement confirmed this change.

Transfer of Ownership Rights

The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, also proposed that the original lessee, transferee, or their legal heir must pay an amount to the Gram Panchayat for transferring ownership rights. This amount will be determined by the collector upon application by the occupant, following prescribed principles and procedures. This move is expected to benefit thousands of farmers who have been cultivating such lands for decades.

Additionally, ownership of Panchayat land will be transferred by sale to villagers who constructed their houses on or before March 31, 2004. This applies up to a maximum of 500 square yards, including open space, at a rate not less than market fee. This will help regularise old cases where houses were built on Panchayat land and generate income for panchayats from such sales.

Lease for Gaushala Establishment

In another decision, the Cabinet approved leasing over seven acres of shamlat deh land in Gram Panchayat Rangala, Block Taoru, district Nuh for 20 years. This lease is for establishing a Gaushala for 1,000-1,500 animals by Matrdhara Gauvansh Rakshan and Samvardhan Trust.

The sarpanch and the block development and panchayat officer concerned will be ex-officio members of the managing committee of Gaushalas or any committee formed to manage Gaushala affairs. This initiative is part of a new government policy allowing other shamlat lands of panchayats to be used for constructing new Gaushalas to care for stray cattle in rural and urban areas.

This ordinance aims to address long-standing issues related to village common lands while providing benefits to farmers and villagers. It also seeks to improve the management and utilisation of these lands through new policies and amendments.