The Uttarakhand Assembly has passed a stringent land law amendment bill to curb illegal land acquisitions and misuse by land mafias. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami presented the Uttarakhand (Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950) Amendment Bill 2025 in the House, aiming to regulate land purchases by outsiders while safeguarding local interests.
Key Amendments in the Land Law
- Restrictions on Agricultural and Horticultural Land: Except in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, outsiders can no longer purchase agricultural or horticultural land in the remaining 11 districts.
- Residential Land Purchase Cap: Non-residents can buy up to 250 square meters of residential land, but only once and with a mandatory affidavit.
- No Changes in Industrial Land Rules: The regulations for purchasing industrial land remain unchanged.
- Approval Process Change: In Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, approval for agricultural land purchase will now be granted at the state level instead of by district officials.
- Ceiling Limit Removed: The 12.5-acre land ceiling has been lifted in 11 districts, while in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, buyers exceeding the limit must obtain a necessity certificate.
- Strict Monitoring on Land Use: Purchased land must be used strictly for the declared purpose, with violations leading to government acquisition. Buyers must submit an affidavit before the registrar.
- Digital Land Monitoring System: A dedicated portal will track land transactions, with reports sent to district authorities and the state government.
- Stricter Rules for Urban Areas: Land use regulations within municipal limits will be strictly enforced.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami revealed that 599 cases of land law violations have been reported in the state, with 572 pending in courts. So far, 9.47 acres of illegally acquired land have been reclaimed by the government.
History of Uttarakhand’s Land Laws
Since Uttarakhand’s formation, multiple amendments have shaped its land laws. In 2002, then CM N.D. Tiwari imposed stricter land regulations, limiting residential land purchases by outsiders to 500 square meters. In 2007, CM B.C. Khanduri further reduced the limit to 250 square meters. However, in 2018, CM Trivendra Singh Rawat relaxed the laws, removing land ceiling limits for industries and making land-use conversions easier, which led to misuse.
With the latest amendment, the state aims to strike a balance between investment and safeguarding local interests.
