Himachal Govt is actively pursuing allocation of Nautor land to eligible individuals in tribal areas: Jagat Singh Negi
Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi has said that the State Government is actively pursuing the allocation of Nautor land to eligible individuals in tribal areas. He said that under the Himachal Pradesh Nautor Land Rules 1968, provisions were made to allocate 20 bighas of government land to beneficiaries who possess less than 20 bighas. This initiative has significantly benefited tribal communities.
Shri Negi explained that due to the Forest Conservation Act-1980, the allocation of Nautor land to applicants in the State faced impediments. Responding to the demand of the people, the Congress Government suspended this Act under Article 5 of the Indian Constitution from 2014 to 2018. During this period, eligible beneficiaries received allocations of Nautor land. He said that despite efforts, only one beneficiary was allocated Nautor land under this provision since December 2017, even though allocations could have continued until 2018.
The Minister further stated that in 2020, in response to public protest, the BJP government was forced to implement Nautor provisions in the state for one year, but even then they failed to benefit any individual during their tenure. He said that many Nautor cases are still pending and the present State Government is working diligently to ensure the allocation of Nautor land to all the eligible beneficiaries.
He highlighted that in 2023, the Congress Government once again requested the Governor to exempt tribal areas from the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 to facilitate the allocation of Nautor Land. This request was reiterated last Friday to address the demands of tribal communities for the allocation of Nautor land.
