Haryana removes wrinkles in landlord-tenant relations

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 3

To minimise litigation and pave the way for cordial landlord-tenant ties, the Haryana Assembly today amended the PEPSU Tenancy and Agricultural Lands (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2017, the Punjab Land Revenue (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2017, and the Punjab Security of Land Tenures (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2017. These were passed unanimously.

Revenue Minister Capt Abhimanyu called it a milestone in the history of  land reforms. Under the Punjab Land Revenue (Haryana Amendment) Act, one would not have to repeatedly visit the offices of the SDM, DC, Divisional Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) for the purpose of land demarcation, khasra-girdawari, mutation and land division. A new mechanism would be put in place to ensure this.

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Also, compensation for crop damage due to natural calamities would be given directly to the tenant (actual tiller). The tenant and the landowner would have to file an affidavit and there would be no fear of the land being usurped.

The Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act ensures lease of agricultural land to the private sector on a long-term basis  in a way that the farmers/landowners do not lose their ownership rights. It enables the private sector to set up model agricultural farms, invest in farm equipment and bring in agriculture technology.

“The tenants were at a disadvantage under the old land-leasing laws, having no access to institutional credit, insurance and other support services. The amendments will correct this as well as promote agricultural efficiency,” Capt Abhimanyu said.