Fri, 20 September 2024 03:26:23am
Related Tags: Uttar Pradesh Nazul Property Bill, Nazul land controversy, Yogi government opposition, BJP dissent, Prayagraj property bill
Uttar Pradesh Nazul Property Bill Sparks Fury Among BJP Lawmakers
Uttar Pradesh’s Nazul Property Bill Sparks Fury Among BJP Lawmakers
A storm is brewing in Uttar Pradesh's political arena as the state government pushes forward with the controversial Uttar Pradesh Nazul Properties (Management and Utilization for Public Purposes) Bill. The bill, which aims to reclaim government properties leased to private individuals and entities, has ignited widespread opposition, including dissent from within the ruling BJP.
A Controversial Move: The bill has sparked outrage due to its provision that disallows the conversion of leased Nazul land to freehold. It automatically voids all pending applications seeking such conversions. The uproar reached a peak when two BJP MLAs, Harshvardhan Bajpai and Sidharth Nath Singh, joined the chorus of opposition during a heated assembly session.
What is Nazul Land?
Nazul land refers to government-owned properties, including land and buildings, that are recorded as public assets. These lands often have historical significance, having been leased out during the British colonial era or under various government schemes. In Uttar Pradesh, these properties are spread across key cities like Prayagraj, Lucknow, and Kanpur.
Understanding Nazul Properties: Nazul properties include any government-owned land or buildings listed in public records or vested with the state government under Article 296 of the Constitution. These lands were often leased out during the British colonial period and have since housed many families and businesses.
What the Bill Proposes:
- No Freehold Conversion: The bill prohibits any private individual or entity from obtaining freehold rights for Nazul properties.
- Voiding Pending Applications: All applications seeking freehold rights will be scrapped, and any payments made will be refunded with interest.
- Public Utilization: Nazul lands will be allocated only to public entities after following due procedures.
- Lease Management: Current leaseholders who have complied with lease terms will have their leases renewed, but upon lease expiration, the land will revert to the state government.
- Retrospective Provisions: The bill allows the government to cancel freehold rights granted previously if obtained through fraudulent means.
Why the Opposition? The opposition, led by SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress' Aradhana Mishra, argue that the bill is draconian and could render thousands homeless. They highlight the historical significance of many Nazul properties, especially in Prayagraj, where they have housed families for generations. Critics argue that the bill favors industrialists and bypasses fair compensation laws.
Voices from the Ground:
- Harshvardhan Bajpai (BJP MLA): He voiced concerns about the impact on families living on these lands for over 100 years, many in small, subdivided plots. He emphasized the historical injustice, where lands acquired from freedom fighters were turned into Nazul properties.
- Sidharth Nath Singh (BJP MLA): Singh suggested renewing leases for bonafide tenants with generational claims. He stressed that many residents stopped paying rent after the government's initial push for freehold rights and should not be penalized for it.
Key Points:
- Bill Introduction: Uttar Pradesh's government introduces a bill to reclaim leased Nazul properties.
- Freehold Ban: No conversion to freehold rights; all pending applications voided.
- Public Allocation: Future grants limited to public entities.
- Opposition Uproar: Bipartisan opposition cites potential homelessness and historical injustice.
- BJP Dissent: Two BJP MLAs express significant concerns and suggest amendments.
