AJP Demands Land Law Rollback, Alleges Bias in Basundhara Scheme

A special discussion session on the ongoing land issues in Assam was organised on Friday at the Pragjyotish Cultural Project in Machkhowa under the initiative of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP). The meeting brought together representatives from various organisations, opposition political parties, and civil society groups to deliberate on the state's land crisis and the government’s policies.

The session witnessed a detailed discussion on land-related problems, especially in light of the government’s move to amend existing land laws. Participants unanimously passed a resolution opposing the proposed amendments, expressing concerns over their potential impact on indigenous land rights.

Speaking at the event, AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi sharply criticised the government’s handling of the issue. He alleged that under the “Basundhara” scheme, the state government has begun a controversial drive to identify and allot previously unrecorded lands, but this effort has largely benefited those close to the Chief Minister.

"Despite much publicity around the Basundhara scheme, indigenous landless people have not been granted pattas (land rights)," said Gogoi. "Instead, lands discovered through this scheme are being occupied by the Chief Minister's family members and close associates."

Gogoi further accused the government of facilitating the sale of several tea garden lands at abnormally low prices to individuals close to the ruling dispensation. However, he pointed out that the labourers who have toiled in these estates for generations are yet to receive even a small portion of land for themselves.

Demanding transparency, the AJP called upon the government to release a white paper detailing how many people have been allotted land under the Basundhara scheme and who the actual beneficiaries are.

The session ended with a consensus demand for rolling back the land law amendments and ensuring just distribution of land to indigenous and landless communities in Assam.

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