NAGPUR: Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Friday that efforts will be accelerated to grant land ownership rights to approximately 40,000 Bengali families in Gadchiroli. These families originally migrated from East Pakistan following the partition.
This decision brings significant relief to the descendants of those who fled East Pakistan and established their lives on land that they have never owned. Earlier reports indicated that government intervention had facilitated land ownership for families from West Pakistan.
Bawankule stated that the district collector has been instructed to prepare a priority proposal so that the long-standing matters of ownership transfer can finally be addressed. He confirmed, “Our records indicate that 40,000 Bengali families in the area have not yet had ownership transferred to them. I have requested the district collector to proceed with this proposal, and we will expedite the process.” He also emphasized the state government’s commitment to providing property cards for all residents.
The minister shared that drones will be employed for land survey mapping across Gadchiroli to ensure accuracy and transparency in measurements. “This will assist significantly in land measurement and documentation,” Bawankule added. He addressed the staff shortages in the land records department, stating, “We will hire private workers to expedite the land measurement process.”
The Bengali families in Gadchiroli have their origins in what was once known as East Pakistan (current Bangladesh). Over six decades ago, numerous refugees were rehabilitated in this district by the government.
Additionally, Bawankule announced plans for a Lok Adalat aimed at settling revenue-related cases in Gadchiroli. This special mechanism will enable the resolution of disputes involving ownership, encroachments, and record discrepancies outside traditional court settings.
He reiterated that the government’s goal is to balance welfare with efficiency, focusing on clearing long-standing cases and incorporating technology to enhance record-keeping. “We are committed to ensuring that all eligible families receive their ownership rights without further delays,” he remarked.
