10-yr ban must on re-sale of land: HP ‘benami’ panel

“During the perusal of cases from 2003 to 2011,the commission has observed that there are certain persons who have purchased land in bulk and sold to industrialists within a period of six months to three years,” said Sood.

In his report submitted to the government this month,he shortlisted 22 people who were involved in frequent land purchases and its sale.

“They purchased land in bulk,either in their own name or obtained GPAs (general power of attorneys) in Baddi,Barotiwala,Nalagarh and Kala Amb (prime industrial areas),in advance and sold it to the different industrialists,” says the report.

The reports states that such people purchased the land with the sole objective of speculation. “They purchase the land in bulk at cheaper rates and then sell it at higher rates to the industrialists. In this process,the poor farmers and the rich industrialists are the losers. Industrialists get the land at higher prices and the farmers’ land is purchased at cheaper rates. This huge profit goes into the pockets of these middlemen.”

To curb this practice,the commission recommended that “where ever any new township or industrial town is to be developed,the land purchaser and the (new) owner should not be allowed to sell the land further for at least 10 years.”

“The transfer of land on the basis of GPAs may be banned,” says the report.

Representatives of real estate say if the recommendation of the commission is accepted,there would be a drastic check on speculation and inflated property rates.

Under Himachal Pradesh laws,only permanent residents can buy land in the state. Others who want to purchase the land for non-agricultural purposes have to seek permission from the government.

The commission had earlier conveyed its displeasure over how prime Himachal land was allowed to be sold to outsiders in connivance with the government officials. It had recommended for confiscation of at least 42 proprieties in this regard.