Meghalaya govt pass Amendment Bill to prevent land alienation

Shillong, July 4 (UNI) The State Assembly today passed the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2004, aimed at preventing transfer and alienation of land in scheduled areas by means of a ''Will'' by a non-tribal to another non-tribal not belonging to his family.

State Deputy Chief Minister in-charge, Revenue, Donkupar Roy introduced the Amendment Bill.

As per the new amendment, a non-tribal will only be able to transfer land by a ''Will'' created by him in favour of his parents, legally married spouse, son or legally adopted son, daughter or legally adopted daughter, grandson or grand daughter, son-in-law or daughter-in-law.

Transfer of land will also be allowed by devolution and succession according to the personal law governing the owner and by way of partition or settlement amongst the immediate members of his family.

The Bill was passed after taking into consideration the Select Committee report, submitted to the government on June 9 last.

The Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971, was passed by the Legislative Assembly and assented by the President on December 28, 1971, to regulate the transfer of land in the state for the protection of the interest of the Scheduled Tribes.

UNI RRK SJC VD GC1747