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Saturday, July 23, 2011

Committee of Secretaries to monitor land transfers

GANGTOK, 19 July: The State Government, through a Home Department Notification issued on 11 July, constituted a committee headed by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department as Nodal Secretary, to screen all cases of land transfers from Sikkimese to non-Sikkimese owners and from Bhutia-Lepcha to non-Bhutia-Lepcha for hotel projects, pharmaceutical companies, industries, excise units, power projects, etc.

The Committee, which will have the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Urban Development & Housing Department, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Commerce & Industries Department, Secretary, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Secretary, Health Care, Human Service & Family Welfare Department, Secretary, Law Department, Secretary, Labour Department, Secretary, Energy & Power Department and Secretary, Excise Department as members will also devise parameters in the interest of the people of the State and meet once a month.
The committee will also ensure that such lands transfers are cleared only after prior permission of the Government.
Further, the Committee of Secretaries will also screen whether the proposed transfer of land contravenes laws regarding restriction on alienation of land from persons having less than 2.5 acres.
It will also verify whether any water source is affected, disturbing water supply to the community and whether the proposed project is “genuine for the purpose which it is to be set up”.
The Committee has been directed to also ensure  that the project authorities do not sub-let or sub-lease such properties to other parties and verify whether locals are being employed and their interests in contract work, transport, marketing, equality in pay and measures necessary coverage in health, education and other labour incentives are protected.
The Notification further directs the Committee to monitor that any damage to State and National Highways are made good by these companies and secure their “black and white assurance” in this regard as well as check the proposed project posed health hazard to the community residing around the project.
Finally, the Committee needs to verify whether any public conveniences or facilities are infringed by such projects and whether the proposed project affects the environment policy of the Government.

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