Manipur government has decided to cancel the implementation of New Land
Use Policy citing various reasons which includes among other objections
coming up from various hill based civil organizations.
The decision to annul the implementation of the policy was taken by a
cabinet meeting held Tuesday. Okendro who is also the minister for
consumer affairs, food and public distribution said that state’s
financial constraint coupled with objections coming from various circle
has compelled the government to annul the policy which he term as a
promising policy to save the land.
The Manipur government had earlier hoped for availing the requisite
funds from the Central government for implementing programmes to save
land.
However, with the NDA government decided to do away with the Planning
Commission, the state government had resolved to stop pursuing the
matter, said Manipur government’s spokesperson M Okendro Singh.
It may be noted that the state government had even appointed retired IAS
Sudha Pillai as consultant for developing the DPR of the project. In
addition, the state level Steering Committee had been studying, as well
as discussing on the Mizoram model of the policy that has successfully
implemented in neighbouring state.
The government’s New Land Use Policy (NLUP), 2014, aimed at improving
productivity and minimizing pressure on land resources. The policy
emphasizes heavily on inclusive development in Manipur.
The United Naga Council (UNC), a conglomeration of several Naga civil
bodies of Manipur, Kuki Innpi, an apex body of Kuki civil organizations
including chiefs of Kuki villages have strongly opposed the
implementation of the new policy.