Inter-religion land transfer will need govt nod

Guwahati: Considering the sensitivity of inter-religion land transfer, the state budget presented in the assembly on Monday articulated that the transfer of lands between individuals of two different religions will require authorisation from the highest echelon of the state govt.
"Given the sensitivities involved in land transfer matters in the state, all cases of inter-religion land transfers between individuals will be given effect only after due approval of the state govt," finance minister Ajanta Neog said.
In addition to tribal belts and blocks under Chapter X of ALRR 1886, the govt proposed in the budget to identify the revenue circles of the state, where only "indigenous people" can own and possess land, and the transfer of such land in these areas is limited to them alone. "Appropriate legislative drafting is underway, and we shall present it in the Assembly Session in September 2025," Neog said.
Subsequently addressing the media, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said in Sept, the state govt will introduce legislation in the state assembly to ensure that in several revenue blocks, only indigenous people can sell and purchase lands. "Inter-religion land transfer, like selling and buying of lands between Hindus and Muslims, will be executed only after the approval of the chief minister or govt. The budget has mentioned it," Sarma said.
Neog earlier also announced that the state govt will introduce zonal valuation based on location, topography, and usage of land. Neog emphasised that this structured methodology ensures transparency, consistency, and uniformity in land valuation across the state.
"To further protect the land rights of indigenous people, our govt will identify the villages with a predominant SC/ST population out of the proposed 846 villages and notify them as micro tribal belts and blocks," the budget specified.
The govt has additionally proposed to establish Land Governance Labs in revenue circles in a phased manner as specialised centres with trained personnel for updating maps and seamless integration with blockchain-based land and property records.
Regarding strengthening Assam's industrial landscape, the budget stated that the recently concluded Advantage Assam 2.0 investment and infrastructure summit has fostered an environment of industrialisation in Assam. However, it acknowledged that without a proper industrial park with plug-and-play infrastructure, accommodating industries would be challenging. Recognising this, Neog proposed to develop new industrial parks in Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Silchar, Jagiroad, Palashbari, Tezpur, and Nalbari with top-class industrial facilities subject to land availability. The govt proposed to spend Rs 500 crore in a phased manner for this. "Along with this, we are planning major new township projects in Jagiroad and Palashbari with assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). A project worth Rs 8,000 crore is in the pipeline for this," Neog said.
To further accelerate industrial growth, Neog announced the development of an Industrial Land Bank. "Presently, we have 6,500 acres of industrial land, including 3,100 acres of allocable space. Additionally, we are developing 11,660 acres of land," she stated. "I am allocating over Rs 2,000 crore for these initiatives to build a robust industrial ecosystem in Assam in a phased manner," Neog added.
The govt also proposed to commence the survey of the Char areas of Assam during 2025-26.