Over 46,000 bighas of agricultural land transformed in Assam

GUWAHATI: Over 46,000 bighas of agricultural land have been transformed into non-agricultural category across Assam in the last 13 years, the state Assembly was informed today.

In a written reply to a query by AGP MLA Padma Hazarika during the ongoing Budget session, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Prithibi Majhi said a total of more than 46,159 bighas of agricultural land in 16 districts have been reclassified since 2001.

The Minister, however, did not give any reason why such a huge portion of land has been transformed for non-agricultural purpose in the state.

The 16 districts are Nalbari, Cachar, Tinsukia, Lakhimpur, Barpeta, Hailakandi, Dhubri, Morigaon, Sonitpur, Nagaon, Jorhat, Karimganj, Kamrup, Kamrup Metro, Goalpara and Bongaigaon, Majhi said.

Out of these, Cachar accounts for largest parcel of transformed land with 12,731 bighas of agricultural land being already reclassified, he added.

On the other hand, with 113 bighas of reclassified agricultural land, Goalpara stands at the bottom of the chart.

In a separate question by AGP MLA Naba Kumar Doley, Majhi said a committee headed by Congress MLA Bhumidhar Barman has submitted the draft of the new Land Policy for the state.

"Necessary arrangements are being done to officially accept the new Land Policy," the Minister said.

He, however, did not share any timeline to implement the new Land Policy for the state.

"Reclassification of land is an ongoing process. Change of classification should go on as per usage," Majhi said.