Lucknow, July 30: The state assembly passed the Uttar Pradesh Nazul Properties Bill on Wednesday, July 31. The bill addresses the management and transfer of Nazul properties, which are lands acquired by the government and intended for public use. The bill comes with surprising opposition. BJP MLA Harshvardhan Bajpai from Prayagraj has vocally opposed the bill, arguing that it could lead to the forced displacement of thousands of families currently residing on these lands. Let's know more about the Uttar Pradesh Nazul Properties Bill and why BJP MLA Prayagraj Harshvardhan Bajpai opposed it.

The bill prohibits private individuals or organisations from owning Nazul properties outright. Instead, when leases expire, these properties will revert to government control. Occupants will have to pay rent set by district authorities based on market rates. UP Assembly Waterlogging: Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Shut After Water Enters Premises (Watch Video).

What Is the Uttar Pradesh Nazul Properties Bill?

The newly passed Uttar Pradesh Nazul Properties Bill is a law that deals with how the government’s special lands, known as Nazul properties, are managed and transferred. It sets rules for who can use or own these lands. According to this law, Nazul properties are lands managed by the state government under Article 296 of the Constitution. These include lands taken over by the British from freedom fighters but exclude lands controlled by the revenue board, forest, irrigation, defence, postal, railways, or central government departments. 'Love Jihad' Bill Passed in UP: Uttar Pradesh Assembly Passes Anti-Conversion Bill.

If payments were made in anticipation of ownership changes, they will be refunded with interest based on the Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) from the deposit date. The government may also extend leases for current Nazul landholders who are in good standing, regularly pay rent, and have followed lease terms.

Why Did the BJP MLA From Prayagraj, Harshvardhan Bajpai, Oppose It?

The ruling party MLA's disagreement with the bill comes as a surprise to party members. Harshvardhan Bajpai, MLA from Prayagraj, criticised the bill, saying, "On one hand, we are giving houses to the poor under the PM Awas Yojna, and on the other hand, we are telling thousands of families to get out."  He also mentioned that if the government takes a few properties, it won’t make much difference. However, this affects those living in small slum rooms. In Prayagraj, they are called ‘Sagar Pesha,’ a term from the British Raj era. The British provided these families with housing near their bungalows over 100 years ago, and they have lived there ever since. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has frequently called for legislation to clarify property rights and intellectual property rights, Bajpaid added.

The BJP MLA finally concluded his speech by saying, “There should be a provision in the law that those possessing Nazul land and where the poor live should get a chance to get these lands converted to freehold.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 01, 2024 12:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).