Why in news:

• Haryana Cabinet has recently approved amendment to the Haryana Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act of 1961.

Key Points:

• This significant legislative change aims to address issues related to the ownership and utilization of village common lands, specifically those designated as 'shamlat deh.'
• The amendments are expected to benefit local farmers and residents while also providing a framework for the management of these lands.

Key features of the Amendment

Ownership Rights

• The ordinance proposes that land in 'shamlat deh'—which has been leased for 20 years under the East Punjab Utilization of Lands Act, 1949—will no longer fall under the category of common land if it has been cultivated continuously by the original lessee, transferee, or their legal heirs.
• This change effectively excludes such lands from the restrictions typically associated with 'shamlat deh' status, allowing for greater ownership rights for those who have been cultivating these lands for decades.

Transfer of ownership

• Under the new rules, original lessees or their legal heirs will be required to pay a fee to the local Gram Panchayat (village council) for transferring ownership rights. The amount payable will be determined by the district collector based on established principles and procedures.
• This is anticipated to streamline the process of land ownership transfer and provide a legal avenue for long-term cultivators to secure their claims on the land they have been farming.

Sale of Panchayat Land

• The ordinance also allows for the sale of Panchayat land to villagers who constructed houses on such land before March 31, 2004.
•  Each household can purchase up to 500 square yards, including open space, at a rate not less than the market fee. This provision aims to regularize existing structures built on Panchayat land and generate revenue for local governance bodies.

Establishment of Gaushalas

• In addition to amending ownership rules, the Cabinet approved a proposal to lease over seven acres of 'shamlat deh' land in Gram Panchayat Rangala for establishing a Gaushala (cattle shelter).
• This initiative is part of a broader policy to utilize common lands for social welfare projects like caring for stray cattle, which is increasingly becoming a concern in rural and urban areas alike.