Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma initiated the distribution of land pattas to over one lakh indigenous landless families and public institutions through Mission Basundhara 3.0. The distribution program was launched in Dhemaji district, where beneficiaries received digital land pattas and allotment letters. Additionally, land settlement in previously unsurveyed villages under the SVAMITVA scheme was also initiated.
The distribution included granting forest land rights to 538 residents of Subansiri and Jiadhal Reserved Forests under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. A total of 1,06,905 beneficiaries across Assam were provided with land pattas, with 44,700 beneficiaries from Dhemaji district alone. Dhemaji was selected as the central program location due to the high number of landless families awaiting settlement in the district.
Chief Minister Sarma highlighted the historical disorganization of land records in Assam, leading to the deprivation of legal ownership for many families. Since the inception of Mission Basundhara five years ago, nearly 10 lakh families’ land-related grievances have been resolved. Mission Basundhara 1.0 and 2.0 focused on addressing various land-related issues, benefiting a significant number of families from different communities.
Future plans under Mission Basundhara 4.0 and 5.0 include resolving all remaining land-related issues, such as reclassification of land and settlement of eligible non-tribal residents of forest villages. Chief Minister Sarma emphasized that approximately 80% of land issues have already been resolved. In addition, he inaugurated the Integrated District Commissioner’s Office Complex in Dhemaji, aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and governance in the district.
