Tripura govt launches drive against encroachers

The revenue department in Tripura recovered 519 government plots from the illegal occupants as per the provisions of Tripura Land Records and Land Reforms Act 1960, Minister for Revenue NC Debbarma told the House on Friday. Responding to a private member resolution moved by Amarpur MLA Ranjit Das, the Minister admitted the fact that the government land was grabbed by the people.

Agartala:The revenue department in Tripura recovered 519 government plots from the illegal occupants as per the provisions of Tripura Land Records and Land Reforms Act 1960, Minister for Revenue NC Debbarma told the House on Friday. Responding to a private member resolution moved by Amarpur MLA Ranjit Das, the Minister admitted the fact that the government land was illegally occupied by the people.

“It is a fact that we cannot deny. As per Tripura Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act 1960 (11th amendment), the District Collectors and Sub-divisional Collectors are empowered to prosecute in such cases and recover the land if occupied illegally. In the last three-and-a-half years, our government has recovered 519 such plots from the possession of illegal occupants. In addition to that, 219 plots which had been occupied for religious purposes had also been recovered," the Minister said. The minister further stated that discrepancies exist in the physical status of patta lands.

“I seek help from all the MLAs and representatives in this endeavour to put a complete stop to such encroachments. The previous government gave pattas to 1,28,000 beneficiaries, but when investigated by the department, it was found that there were sharp discrepancies in the real maps and the physical status of land possessed by the patta holders. Efforts are afoot to regulate the issue at the earliest," said the Minister. Earlier, the MLA from Amarpur constituency Ranjit Das brought the Private Member Resolution and stressed the importance of initiating stringent action against the people involved in such malpractices.

MLA Sudhangshu Das extending support to the resolution alleged that more than 2,000 Kanis of land belonging to Tripura Horticulture Development Corporation that he heads were under illegal possession of CPM MLA Sudhan Das and his aides in the Rajnagar area.

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