Saffron party says move will endanger state’s land ownership safeguards
TNR News Network
Shimla: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government in Himachal Pradesh of attempting to amend Section 118 of the Land Reforms and Tenancy Act, 1972, to “open the doors for selling the state’s land to outsiders”.
BJP’s state spokesperson Sanjay Sharma alleged that the government’s proposed changes were part of a “larger conspiracy to sell Himachal.”
Sanjay Sharma said that former Chief Minister Dr YS Parmar, a Congress leader himself, had introduced this provision to safeguard the interests of Himachal farmers and horticulturists. The clause restricts the sale of agricultural and forest land to non-Himachalis, ensuring that local ownership remains intact.
“The Sukhu government seems to have forgotten that Section 118 was framed by its own party to protect Himachal’s people,” Sanjay Sharma said. “Every BJP government in the state has also upheld and defended this law. It is because of this protection that Himachal’s agricultural and forest lands remain secure even today.”
Government acting under pressure of business interests
The BJP leader alleged that Chief Minister Sukhu is acting under the influence of Congress high command and business lobbies associated with the party. He claimed that by attempting to alter Section 118, the government is effectively taking steps towards making the state “Himachal for sale”.
“It is shocking that every time the Chief Minister returns from a foreign visit, he comes back with new plans to hand over public assets to private hands,” Sharma added. He cited examples, including the decision to allocate Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University land for tourism projects after Sukhu’s Dubai visit last year, a move later challenged in court.
Sharma also accused the government of “privatising operations of the state electricity board and transferring tourism corporation hotels to private entities”, which, he said, has caused heavy financial losses to the state.
BJP to oppose any move to dilute Section 118
Criticising Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Sharma said that Agnihotri, who once accused the previous government of turning “Himachal for sale”, was now silent. “Either he is under pressure or his personal interests are being served,” the BJP spokesperson alleged.
He asserted that the BJP will strongly oppose any attempt to amend Section 118, both inside and outside the Assembly. “Every section of society in Himachal is disappointed with the current regime. The government is backtracking on its promises and only working to please a select few. BJP will go to any extent to protect the interests of Himachalis,” Sharma said.
