CEC concludes hearing on private forest land row

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on Wednesday concluded its hearing on private forest land row indicating that the affected residents in the city and thousands of farmers in the state are most likely to get relief as the panel will recommend de-reservation of land. However, the CEC mentioned that the land under cultivation can not be put to any other use.

As per records, around 2.52 lakh hectares of land is currently under cultivation, most of which is in Pune district. The land was termed as private forest and agricultural activities became illegal after the Bombay High Court order on June 22, 2005.

Like the residents of buildings on private forest land in the city, farmers from Pune district too had moved the CEC for relief. The matter pertaining to such land was heard in New Delhi on December 17. The CEC indicated that recommendations to de-reserve the land under cultivation would be made to the Supreme Court. Sources said that committee members have almost made up their mind to make favourable recommendations. With this, thousands of farmers in the state might get the much-desired relief.

However, regarding the case where in land use was changed from industrial to residential, the committee decided to take a decision after further study. The members have instructed builders to submit information on the status of land such as developed and non-developed land, open space and status of development. Any decision on such land could be taken only after a study of each case, sources said.