State-Level Convention on Agricultural Land Regularization Held in Shimla.
Over 400 Farmers Attend Convention to Discuss Land Rights and Regularization Issues.
Shimla:
A state-level convention addressing the issue of agricultural land regularization and preventing the eviction of farmers was held in Kalibadi, Shimla on Monday. The event was organized jointly by the Himachal Kisan Sabha and the Himachal Apple Growers Association, with participation from various other organizations. Nearly 400 farmers from across the state attended the convention, which also saw the involvement of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Janwadi Mahila Samiti, Students Federation of India (SFI), Progressive Pensioners Association, Janwadi Naujawan Sabha, Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch, All India Advocates Association, and other groups.
Key Discussions and Proposals
The convention began with an inaugural address by Rakesh Singha, National Coordinator of the All India Apple Growers Association. Singha discussed several laws impacting farmers, particularly the Indian Forest Act of 1927, the Forest Conservation Act of 1980, and the Forest Rights Act of 2006. He emphasized that certain provisions within these laws should be amended to better serve the interests of farmers in the current context. He further stated that a strong political will and sensitivity from the government towards farmers are essential to achieving these reforms. Singha also criticized the state government for failing to effectively present the farmers’ case in the Supreme Court, which could have provided them with relief.
Sanjay Chauhan, Co-convener of the United Farmers’ Front, highlighted the need for a new strategy in light of the recent developments following the Supreme Court ruling.
Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar’s Proposals
Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, State President of the Himachal Kisan Sabha, proposed a series of actions to address the issues at hand. These included organizing conventions at the district, sub-division, block, and tehsil levels in the next 45 days, and submitting memorandums to both the state and central governments on February 11. Additionally, during the upcoming budget session, thousands of farmers and apple growers are expected to march to the state secretariat to raise their demands.
The key demands raised at the convention included:
1. Land Mutations for Farmers: Revenue records should reflect land ownership for farmers currently in possession of non-forest land, and mutations should be done in favor of the landholders.
2. Resolution of Issues Related to Naotaur Land: All issues related to Naotaur land should be resolved through special mutations.
3. Compensation for Natural Disaster Losses: Farmers whose homes were destroyed in the 2023 natural disasters should be compensated under the provisions of the amended Forest Conservation Act of 2023.
4. Implementation of the “Land Exchange” Policy: A policy should be reintroduced to allow farmers occupying forest land to exchange it for equivalent agricultural land.
5. Immediate Implementation of Assembly Resolution: The resolution passed in the 2024 Winter Assembly session under Rule 102 should be promptly implemented.
6. Land Ownership for Occupiers: Farmers occupying land classified as “Khudra-o-Darakhtan Malkiyat Government” (less than 4 hectares of forest area) should be granted ownership rights.
7. Amendment of Shamlaat Land Rules: The Shamlaat land rules in Sirmaur should be amended to allocate more land to farmers with less than 5 Bighas of land, based on the availability of land in the existing Patwar circles.
8. Resolution of Pending Land Ownership Cases: All pending cases regarding ownership rights for Chakotidars (landless cultivators) should be addressed immediately.
A Call for Farmers’ Unity
The proposals were unanimously passed during the convention. In his concluding remarks, farmer leader Dr. Onkar Shad criticized the state government for its failure to act on its 2015-16 resolution regarding land regularization. He urged farmers to recognize that the current governments are not genuinely farmer-friendly, but instead mislead them time and again. He stressed the need for farmers to unite under a strong organization and intensify their struggle to secure their rights.
This convention has served as a significant step in mobilizing farmers and organizations to address the longstanding issue of land regularization in Himachal Pradesh. The coming months are expected to witness intensified efforts to push for these critical demands.
