Manoj Bajpayee’s ‘excess’ land under scanner in Uttarakhand: Report

Prominent Hindi film actor Manoj Bajpayee has tumbled into a row over his purchased piece of land in Uttarakhand, which has come under the state government’s scrutiny for violating the new land laws.

Bajpayee reportedly mentioned the intention of his land purchase in the state’s Lamgad Tehsil as to establish a yoga and meditation centre. However, the land was found to be unused after more than three years in an official inquiry.

Sources privy to the developments suggested that the 55-year-old actor made a purchase of around 32,400 square feet of land in Kapkot village in Bageshwar district.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government is strictly against the illegal sale and purchase of land, as endorsed by Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal.

The CM also pushed for the land laws in a meeting held at the state assembly at Bhararisain in Chamoli, the state’s summer capital.

Uniyal added that action would be taken against those who have bought land here and are not using it, adding the “excess” land will be taken “under the control of the government”.

His remark came against the backdrop of the Dhami-led Uttarakhand government intensifying action against those who resort to illegal selling and purchasing of land.

He said that under the leadership of CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, “our government is serious about land law”.

Efforts will be made to bring in all necessary reforms in the land law in the interests of the state, an official said on Sunday, citing the Forest Minister.

He also appealed to the people of the state to preserve their ancestral land and not sell it.

Besides, the excess or additional land of those who have violated the rules by buying more than 250 square metres (2,690 square feet) of land in a family will also be “under the control” of the state government.

A committee headed by former chief secretary Subhash Kumar had earlier submitted its report with 23 recommendations to prepare the draft of the land law.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)

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