Uttarakhand Bhu-Kanoon

Uttarakhand Bhu-Kanoon (भू कानून) refers to the land laws and regulations governing land tenure, land acquisition, land ownership, and land use. In Uttarakhand, people from outside the state are easily purchasing land for investment purposes without any limit. Uttarakhand land law is very flexible due to the abolition of the maximum limit on land purchase. Outsiders are taking advantage of the poor people of Uttarakhand and purchasing the land at a very cheap price. Due to this, the culture, food habits, dress, and lifestyle of the Pahadi people are changing and slowly disappearing. The land law actually sets limits on the purchase of land by outsiders, so the culture of Uttarakhand will remain the same and the people will not become landless in their own state. So the CM of Uttarakhand wants to implement the Bhu Kanoon to prevent unnecessary construction in Uttarakhand.

What are the Himachal Pradesh Land Laws, and why are people demanding the same Land Laws in Uttarakhand?

In 1972, the people of Himachal Pradesh were not in a good financial situation, and there was concern that they would sell their land to people from other states. The people will become landless, and their culture will become extinct. Due to this, the Land Reform Act of 1972 was passed, which prohibits outsiders from purchasing agricultural land there but allows them to rent land for business purposes. The law also made it possible for someone from outside the state to purchase land in Himachal after living there for 15 years. But after opposition to this restriction, it was later raised to 30 years. Therefore, the people of Uttarakhand want to implement the same land laws to prevent outsiders from buying large tracts of property for their investment purposes. The outsiders are coming and using their black money to buy unnecessary larger properties in the state, so to prevent this problem, the people of Uttarkhand are strictly asking to implement the Bhu Kanoon in the state.

Who can Buy Land in Uttarakhand?

It was announced by the state's chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, that the land laws would be highly tightened. In this regard, rules are being created, and whoever complies with these requirements will be eligible to purchase the land. The CM said, "We cannot allow a person with foul intentions to purchase land in Uttarakhand". Before the purchase of land, the background of the prospective buyer and the reason for purchasing land in Uttarakhand will be examined.

The following is the report of the committee's primary focal points:

Land Ownership Regulations in Uttarakhand: From Size Limits to Open Market

Latest Update in BHU Kanoon in Uttarakhand

Updates on Bhu Kanoon in Uttarakhand

Steps for Bhu Kanoon in Uttarakhand

Steps for Bhu Kanoon in Uttarakhand

Know More 
How Much Land Outsiders Can Buy in Uttarakhand

Why Uttarakhand need a "Bhu Kanoon"?

The main objectives of "Bhu Kanoon" (land laws) in Uttarakhand are (भू-कानून क्यों जरुरी है) :

Preserving Cultural Heritage: Ensure that the cultural identity, traditions, food habits, dress, and lifestyle of the Pahadi people of Uttarakhand are safeguarded and preserved. Prevent rapid cultural changes and the erosion of traditional values due to unrestricted land purchases by outsiders.

Enhance Employment Opportunities: Increase employment opportunities for the people of Uttarakhand by encouraging locally-owned and operated businesses. Ensure that the ownership of institutions aligns with the state's population, thereby generating more jobs for residents.

Conservation of Natural Resources: Prevent unchecked land acquisition by outsiders to conserve natural resources, forests, and wildlife habitats in Uttarakhand. Enable residents to have a say in the development and land use policies of their own state.

Guarding Uttarakhand's Land: Preventing the Concentration of Land Ownership in the Hands of Non-Residents Bhu Kanoon ensures that the people of Uttarakhand do not become landless in the future in their own state.

Posted by: eUttaranchal/ Brijmohan Bisht

Uttarakhand BHU Kanoon FAQs

"Bhu Kanoon" in Uttarakhand refers to land laws or land-related regulations in the state. It encompasses the legal framework that governs various aspects of land ownership, land use, land acquisition, land rights, and related matters in Uttarakhand.

The Members of Bhu Kanoon Committee in Uttarakhand are - Head of the Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee Ajendra Ajay, retired IAS officers Arun Dhoundiyal and DS Garbyal, Ex-officio member Dipendra Kumar Chaudhary.

People from other states are coming and ruining the culture of Uttarakhand. As well as in the industrial sector, Most outsiders are running businesses in Uttarakhand. For example, private schools, colleges, hotels, restaurants, factories, and institutions The people of this state work in these institutions and do not receive the expected salary. If land law is implemented in Uttarakhand, then people from outside cannot buy land in this state, due to which the entire industrial sector will come into the hands of the people of the state. It is obvious that if the owner of an institution is from the state, then that worker will also be from the same state, due to which employment opportunities in the state will increase.

The main objectives of "Bhu Kanoon" (land laws) in Uttarakhand are:

  • Preserving Cultural Heritage
  • Enhance Employment Opportunities
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Guarding Uttarakhand's Land

Yes, there are restrictions on non-agriculturists purchasing agricultural land in Uttarakhand. These measures are in place to protect agricultural interests, ensuring that fertile land is primarily used for farming. Non-agriculturists are generally not permitted to acquire agricultural land, but they can invest in non-agricultural land for residential or commercial purposes.

In Uttarakhand, only individuals who already possess land in their name in Uttarakhand prior to September 12, 2003, are permitted to acquire agricultural land. Additionally, for residential land outside municipal limits, non-residents of the state are restricted to purchasing up to 250 square meters. These measures aim to regulate land ownership, ensuring a balance between local and non-local interests in Uttarakhand.

According to the prevailing laws in Uttarakhand, constructing houses, factories, or industries on agricultural land is prohibited. It is only permissible after the conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural land. Therefore, it is essential to verify the land's classification before purchasing it for residential purposes. Ensuring that the land is designated as non-agricultural will help adhere to legal requirements and avoid potential issues related to land use regulations in Uttarakhand.

The acquisition of agricultural land in Uttarakhand is restricted for non-residents of India, including foreigners and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). However, they are permitted to purchase non-agricultural land for residential or commercial purposes. This distinction ensures that agricultural land remains primarily in the hands of local farmers and supports sustainable agricultural practices, while still allowing non-residents to invest in other types of real estate for various purposes.

Uttarakhand Bhu-Kanoon Photo
Uttarakhand Bhu-Kanoon
Related Articles