In Uttarakhand, the state Cabinet has approved a stringent land law preventing people from buying limitless land, officials said. This decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Soon after the decision, Mr Dhami, in a post on X, said that fully respecting the longstanding demand of the people of the state and their sentiments, the Cabinet has approved the strict land law. He said 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.

The Chief Minister had first expressed his intentions to bring a stringent land law in the state in September last year.

However, this law will not impose any restrictions on land transactions in the two plain districts of the state-Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. A major move under the law, the district magistrates will no longer have the power to permit land purchases individually; this authority has been transferred to the state government.

It may be recalled that Uttarakhand’s land purchase laws have been amended multiple times in the past. Under the new law, concrete steps have been taken to safeguard land and maintain the state’s unique identity. The government hopes that this decision will effectively regulate unchecked land purchases and help preserve Uttarakhand’s rich cultural heritage.