A select committee has been constituted to review the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms (Amendment) Bill 2025, with Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi appointed as its chairman. The nine-member committee includes four BJP MLAs, marking a significant step in addressing opposition concerns over the crucial land legislation.
The bill, which was tabled during the winter session at Tapovan but could not be passed, will now undergo detailed scrutiny by the select committee before being presented again in the next assembly session.
Committee composition
State Assembly Secretary Yashpal Sharma has issued the official notification for the committee’s formation.
Committee members:
- Chairman: Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi
- Members:
- Anirudh Singh Rana (Panchayati Raj Minister, Congress)
- Sukhram Chaudhary (BJP)
- Satpal Singh Satti (BJP)
- Randhir Sharma (BJP)
- Trilok Jamwal (BJP)
- Ashish Butail (Congress)
- Sanjay Ratan (Congress)
- Harish Janartha (Congress)
The committee comprises 5 Congress MLAs and 4 BJP MLAs, ensuring representation from both the ruling party and opposition.
Key provisions under review
The amendment bill proposes to simplify provisions across several sections of the 1972 Act. Major proposals include:
1. Agricultural cooperative societies exemption: Relaxation for cooperative societies to lease land for agricultural purposes
2. 10-year lease exemption in rural areas: Non-agriculturists can rent buildings in rural areas for up to 10 years without Section 118 permission
3. RERA project exemption: Relief from requiring fresh Section 118 permission when transferring flats constructed on land acquired under Section 118
4. Extended timelines: Provisions for granting extensions beyond the mandatory three-year land utilization period
5. Himuda and TCP buyer rights: Extending Section 118 exemptions to subsequent buyers and legal heirs of government housing scheme properties
Why it went to select committee
During the winter session debate, the opposition participated actively and demanded either withdrawal of the bill or its referral to a select committee for detailed examination. BJP MLAs raised concerns about the bill potentially affecting Himachal’s interests, particularly regarding land protection mechanisms.
The opposition’s primary concerns included:
- Potential dilution of safeguards against land alienation
- Impact on local farmers and agricultural land
- Need for wider consultation on changes to the critical Section 118
- Requirement for detailed clause-by-clause examination
Given the sensitivity of Section 118—which has been the backbone of Himachal’s land ownership regulations for over five decades—and the bipartisan concern expressed, the government agreed to send the bill to a select committee.
Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania subsequently nominated the members for the select committee, leading to the formal notification.
What happens next
The select committee will now:
- Examine the bill clause by clause
- Invite stakeholders, legal experts, and public opinion
- Assess the potential impact on farmers and land ownership patterns
- Suggest modifications or amendments if necessary
- Submit its report with recommendations to the assembly
Once the committee submits its report, the bill will be tabled again in the next assembly session with the committee’s recommendations, allowing for informed debate and decision-making.
Significance of the move
The decision to form a select committee reflects the government’s willingness to address opposition concerns on a legislation that directly impacts land ownership—one of the most sensitive issues in Himachal Pradesh.
Section 118 has been instrumental in preventing unrestricted land sales to non-agriculturists and protecting the state’s limited agricultural land from large-scale acquisition by outsiders. Any amendment to this provision requires careful consideration of its long-term implications.
The inclusion of four BJP MLAs in the nine-member committee ensures that opposition views will be adequately represented during the review process, potentially leading to a more consensus-based legislation.
Expert opinion needed
Legal experts suggest that the select committee’s deliberations will be crucial in balancing economic development needs with land protection imperatives. The committee is expected to examine:
- How other hill states handle similar land regulations
- The effectiveness of proposed safeguards against misuse
- Whether the exemptions could create loopholes
- Impact on local communities and farmers
The committee’s recommendations will likely shape the final form of this critical legislation that seeks to modernize Himachal’s land laws while preserving their protective character.
