ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Mar 9: In view of the continuous demands for land rights for Non-APST settled in Lekang , under Namsai district, MLA  Lekang Likha Soni sought a reply from the Minister of Land Management Balo Raja in the ongoing Budget Session.
Soni questioned whether the government was aware that Lekang remains the only constituency where a majority of permanent settlers are Non-APSTs, yet they are not granted land ownership rights.
In a written response, Minister Balo Raja affirmed the government's awareness of the situation but clarified that Arunachal Pradesh is a predominantly tribal state. "The rights to land are granted only to indigenous Scheduled Tribes of the state as per Section (2) and sub-Section (1) of Section 88 of The Arunachal Pradesh (Land Settlement and Records) (Amendment) Act, 2024 (Act No.3 of 2024)," he stated.
Further questioning the government’s stance, MLA Soni pointed out that while Non-APSTs settled in Lekang have voting rights, they are not permitted to possess Land Possession Certificates (LPCs) or Land Allotment (LA) for their own land. In response, the minister cited the existing legal framework, including Section (1) of Rule 123 of the Arunachal Pradesh (Land Settlement and Records) Rules, 2012, which restricts land rights to indigenous Scheduled Tribes.
When asked whether the government would consider introducing regulations to confer land ownership and LPCs/LA to permanent Non-APST residents of Lekang, the minister firmly stated, "No." He reiterated that land matters in Arunachal Pradesh are governed by The Arunachal Pradesh (Land Settlement & Records) Act, 2000, Rules of 2012, and the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, all of which safeguard the land rights of indigenous Scheduled Tribes.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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