Assam To Implement Multi-Layer Approval Process For Inter-Religious Land Sales

The Assam government has cleared a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that makes inter-religious land transfers subject to multi-layered scrutiny before they can be approved, NDTV reported.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the new rules were necessary to ensure sensitive transactions were handled with care.

“In a sensitive state like Assam, land transfer needs to be carefully handed over. All such transfers will come to the government and we will scrutinise all the transfers. We will look at the source of funds of the person who is buying, whether that land sale will affect the social fabrics of that locality, whether any national security threat is involved in certain cases, accordingly the District Commissioner will take the final decision,” Sarma was quoted as saying by NDTV.

As per the SOP, applications for such transfers must first be filed with the Deputy Commissioner (DC).

Once vetted, the proposals move to the Revenue Department, where a nodal officer forwards them to the Assam Police’s Special Branch.

The police will then investigate possible fraud, coercion, or illegality, verify the funding sources, and assess whether the sale poses risks to social harmony or national security.

Their report will be sent back to the government, and ultimately, the DC will decide whether the deal can proceed.

Sarma said outside organisations would also come under the scanner.

“NGOs outside Assam sought land to establish institutions, we will examine similar land sale prospects for national security purpose, no such procedure for local NGOs,” he noted.

Officials described the move as part of ongoing efforts to curb the transfer of land from indigenous communities to illegal settlers.

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