Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, December 17
A Hindu organisation has criticised the Himachal Pradesh government over its proposed amendments to Section 118 of the state’s land law, accusing the Congress-led administration of weakening safeguards meant to protect local land and culture. The Hindu Raksha Manch said the move amounted to a “conspiracy” to dilute a provision that restricts the transfer of land to non-residents, and alleged that the government was acting under pressure from land mafia interests. The group submitted a memorandum to the Governor through the district administration.
Addressing a press conference in Shimla, the organisation’s state president, Kamal Gautam, claimed that Section 118 had long served as a shield against large-scale land acquisition by wealthy outsiders. He alleged that while previous governments had left the provision untouched, the current administration was effectively putting “Himachal on sale”.
Gautam warned that any amendment would weaken powers at the panchayat level and demanded that the government release a white paper detailing permissions granted under Section 118 over the past three years. He claimed that more than 1,100 such permissions had been issued and questioned who benefited from them and for what purpose.
He also raised concerns over cottages constructed in forested areas around Shimla and Manikaran, asking whether these were built on land cleared under Section 118 or whether the proposed amendment was aimed at regularising such constructions. He further alleged that the changes could be intended to regularise religious structures built on disputed or illegal land, and demanded a clarification from the chief minister.
The organisation warned of a large-scale agitation if the government did not withdraw the proposed amendment. Separately, Gautam alleged administrative inaction over what he described as illegal mosques in the Nerwa area of Shimla district. Citing information obtained through the Right to Information Act, he claimed that three such structures were unauthorised and accused the authorities of failing to act.
The state government has not yet responded to the allegations.
