Archive · 24 Jul 2026
Assam struggles to find land for calamity-hit rehabilitation
The Assam government is having a hard time finding land to help people who lost their homes because of natural disasters.
They have laws and policies to give land to these people, but it's not easy to find enough land.
The government is looking at areas near rivers called 'char' areas to see if they can use that land.
Some people in the government say the chief minister wants to help, and they are working on changing the rules to make it easier.
But other people in the government say the current government and the previous one didn't do enough to help these people.
They say the people who lost their homes are having a hard time because they don't have the right papers to prove they lived there, and sometimes they are treated like they don't belong when they move to new places.
Assam government faces challenges in finding land for rehabilitating people affected by natural calamities.
Various legal provisions and policies, including the Assam Land Policy, 2019, are in place for land allotment.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is sympathetic towards allotting land to the landless and suggested amendments to the policy.
Survey of 'char' areas is underway to identify land for rehabilitation.
Opposition parties criticize the government for not effectively addressing the issue and highlight the plight of 'char' dwellers.
- Who
- Assam government and opposition parties
- What
- Struggles to find land for rehabilitating people affected by natural calamities
- When
- July 24, 2023
- Where
- Assam, India
- Why
- Due to legal provisions and policies for land allotment, but facing challenges in finding suitable land
Government's Efforts
Opposition's Criticism
Land Allotment Policies
Government's Efforts
The government has policies like the Assam Land Policy, 2019, and is working on amendments to prioritize land allocation for calamity-hit people.
Opposition's Criticism
The opposition criticizes the government for not effectively addressing the issue of rehabilitation, citing past inaction when they were in power.
Survey of 'Char' Areas
Government's Efforts
The government is conducting surveys of 'char' areas to identify land for rehabilitation, which will help address the issue significantly.
Opposition's Criticism
The opposition points out that 'char' dwellers are deprived of rehabilitation packages due to lack of land rights and hesitation from departments to provide erosion-affected certificates.
- Minister
- Keshab Mahanta
- Chief Minister
- Himanta Biswa Sarma
- Policy
- Assam Land Policy, 2019
- Key Issue
- Finding appropriate land for rehabilitation
- Survey Area
- 'Char' (riverine) areas