Religious sect may get nod to sell land gifted by followers

The Himachal Government could allow a religious sect to sell the land gifted by its followers in relaxation of the Himachal Pradesh Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1972 as the matter will be considered by the Cabinet tomorrow.

Sources confirmed that the issue of amendment to the Himachal Pradesh Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1972 will be dwelt upon by the Cabinet as the agenda has been prepared by the Revenue Department for consideration. The followers of the sect have gifted land in mall chunks at various places which the management wants to dispose of even though the revenue laws do not permit it.

The Himachal Government, in relaxation of the Himachal Pradesh Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1972 had in August 2012 brought in a legislation, allowing religious and charitable institutions to own more than 150 bighas land by inserting Section 5 h(i) provision. As such many of the sects possess excess land which has either been purchased or donated by people at various places in Kangra and Shimla.