Mumbai, July 8 (IANS) Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday told the Legislative Assembly that only a person recognised as a farmer would be allowed to purchase agricultural land in Maharashtra. He said no one would be permitted to buy such land without producing valid proof of being a farmer, adding that a stricter verification mechanism would be implemented across the state through the Commissioner of Land Records by digitally mapping land records.

The announcement came in response to a question raised by Dhule MLA Anup Agrawal regarding the alleged land scam in the Vadjai, Pimpri and Narvahal areas of Dhule district and the purported purchase of land by people from other states in violation of the rules.

Taking serious note of the complaints from Dhule district, Bawankule said, “A separate mechanism will be set up under Divisional Commissioner Pravin Gedam to investigate these transactions. The preliminary inquiry has revealed that in two cases, proof of being a farmer was not found. Since the land extracts bearing the Tehsildar’s seal submitted by MLA Agrawal also appear to be forged, the entire matter will be investigated by the Superintendent of Police (SP), Dhule. Directions have been issued to register cases against those involved in cheating, forgery and tampering with government records.”

Explaining the background of the disputed land in Dhule, the minister said that after the original owners sold the land, it was transferred to the names of 44 members of the Jayprakash Housing Society. However, in 2010, the heirs of the original owners allegedly colluded with revenue officials to have the land illegally re-entered in their names before selling it again.

“Once the land is sold, there is no question of the heirs’ names being entered again,” he said.

The minister announced that the government would grant special permission to the Superintendent of Land Records (SLR) to review the case. The incorrect heir entries made in 2010 would be cancelled immediately, and the rights of the original 44 members of the housing society would be restored. Changes made through the alleged misuse of Section 155 would also be annulled.

MLA Jayant Patil also raised the issue of large-scale land purchases by people from outside Maharashtra around Dodamarg in Sindhudurg district and near Mopa Airport.

Against this backdrop, Bawankule announced that stamp duty officers across the state have now been given direct access to the database of the Commissioner of Land Records.

“As a result, whenever any person comes for land registration, the stamp duty officer will immediately be able to verify whether the person owns land elsewhere in the state and where the relevant 7/12 extract is recorded. If any non-farmer from outside the state is found to be suspicious, the registration will be stopped immediately and verification will be carried out,” the minister said.

He expressed confidence that the new system would effectively curb the practice of individuals fraudulently posing as farmers to acquire agricultural land.

–IANS

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