Land Reforms Amendment Bill passed in Assembly

Bengaluru: An amendment bill aimed at facilitating the grant of certificate of ownership to agricultural labourers in respect of the dwelling house built on land not belonging to them prior to 1979 was passed in the Karnataka Assembly on Friday.

The Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Bill, 2016 that will amend the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961(Karnataka Act 10 of 1962), was passed by a voice vote with all parties supporting the measure.

The statement of objectives and reasons of the bill states that it aims to provide for an agricultural labourer to be entitled for registration as owner in respect of dwelling house built on land not belonging to him immediately prior to 1st day of 1979, by vesting such land in government on the date of commencement of the Act.

Calling the passage of the bill as “historic”, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said those residing in an unrecorded habitations will now become owners.

Stating that it is not only a “progressive” but a “revolutionary” development, he said, “these people have got freedom in a sense now. They have got their right, they are now owners.”

Commending the House for passing the bill unanimously, Siddaramaiah said the government has fulfilled what it had promised in the Congress election manifesto.

Opposition Leader Jagadish Shettar while congratulating the House on the passage of the bill, said that it is the duty of the government to ensure its effective implementation.

Speaker K B Koliwad also thanked the House on the passage of the bill and called it a “momentous” occasion.