Rajasthan Bhoodan Yagna Bill passed

Jaipur, Mar 19 (UNI) The Rajasthan Assembly today passed the Rajasthan Bhoodan Yagna (Amendment) Bill 2008 by a voice vote to give khatedari land title rights to Bhoodan land holders.

Moving the bill in the House, Revenue Minister Ram Narain Dudi said land allotted under section 24 of the Bhoodan Yagna Act 1954 had a condition that holder of the land would not transfer any interests in the land or would not sublet the land without prior permission of the Bhoodan Board.

However, the grantees of the lands were demanding khatedari land title rights for long and the proposed amendment in the act would fulfill their demand.

Now the section 24 of the act was being amended and section 25 of the principal act was being deleted to confer upon the land grantees rights and liabilities imposed on khatedar tenant under the Rajasthan Tenancy Act 1955.

The Opposition Congress members Pradhuman Singh, Zuber Khan and others opposed the bill and held that the move was against the spirits of the Bhoodan Yagna spearheaded by Vinoba Bhave with motive to inspire and motivate landlords and rich farmers to donate their excess land for distribution among poor landless people.

Mr Singh said the government's move to confer right of sale and transfer of the land to the grantee "khatedar" was very dangerous and it would harm to grantee family itself.

He stressed upon the government to withdraw the bill and re introduce it in the House with amendment to restrain grantee to sale or transfer the land.

However, Rao Rajendra Singh and other BJP members defended the move. Mr Singh said the grantees could not be deprived of their fundamental right to take decision on their property.

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