Maharashtra government orders probe into church lands

The Maharashtra government has initiated separate investigations into land holdings of Christian missions and land purchases by non-farmers in the State. The actions follow questions raised in the Legislative Assembly.

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule informed the Legislative Assembly that a review of all land records linked to Christian missions in the State is underway. The examination, conducted by the settlement commissioner, has a timeline of three months for completion.

The statement came in response to a question from legislator Devyani Pharande. Bawankule specified that the review will be detailed, particularly focusing on mission lands in Nashik district.

A committee, led by the divisional commissioner, will be formed for a thorough investigation of this matter. This panel will include a senior officer from the settlement commissioner's office, a police department representative, and an official from the office of the Inspector General of Registration.

The Minister stated that lands currently occupied by residential settlements or government constructions will be considered separately. However, he said decisions on unauthorised matters will be taken.

In a separate case, the government has taken note of land purchases by non-residents in Dhule district. BJP legislator Anup Agarwal raised the issue in the assembly, making an allegation of foreign funding for these land deals.

Mr. Bawankule announced that the district Superintendent of Police will investigate the Dhule case. A separate high-level mechanism, involving the divisional commissioner and other senior officials, will also be activated for a detailed inquiry into this matter.

The issue of non-farmers purchasing agricultural land was also raised. Nationalist Congress Party leader Jayant Patil drew attention to land purchases by outsiders in the area near Mopa airport.

Under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, a person must be a farmer to legally purchase agricultural land in the state. Bawankule said the government has collected data to identify individuals from outside the state who have bought land without being farmers.

The Minister said that a 'Data Access' system has been provided to stamp duty and sub-registrar officers. This system, he said, will allow them to verify if an applicant holds a land record (7/12) in Maharashtra at the time of property registration, which will act as a check on the activities of bogus farmers.