Digitised cadastral maps to regulate illegal land conversion

Cabinet resolves to install Irawat’s statue near Assembly complex

IMPHAL | Sept 13

The State Cabinet has approved the proposal for putting on hold any process for conversion or reclamation of paddy land pending finalisation of the data bank with details of paddy land and wetland prepared with the help of digitised cadastral maps by the government.

The decision was taken in a State Cabinet meeting held at the chief minister’s secretariat with chief minister N. Biren Singh in the chair.

Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014 was implemented in the State with effect from 10th September 2014. However, unauthorised conversion of lands for buildings and commercial uses continues to take place in violation of the act.

With a view to check such illegal conversions, the Cabinet has decided that a data bank with details of paddy land along with the survey numbers will be created with the help of cadastral maps combined with satellite images of paddy land.

The status of paddy land will be identified through preparation of digitised cadastral maps on the basis of satellite images of paddy lands existing as at the commencement of the act i.e. September 10, 2014.

The data bank shall be put in public domain on the websites of the departments of revenue and agriculture. All applications for conversion of paddy land and wetland shall be examined with reference to such data/maps.

Moreover, violations if any detected on the basis of such digital maps will be detected and penalised as per provisions of the act.

The Cabinet also decided to instruct the deputy commissioners of all districts to comply with the above decision strictly and ensure that no conversion or reclamation of paddy land and wetland is allowed until further instructions.

The meeting also decided to install a statue of Jananeta Hijam Irawat at a plot located opposite to Manipur Legislative Assembly complex as a mark of respect to the great leader of Manipur.

The Cabinet also gave its nod to allotment of State land under Dag No. 383 measuring an area of 8.10 acre at 76-Salam Keikhu, Lamshang in Imphal West district to the State Health Department for establishment of 60-bedded State Mental Hospital.

The State Cabinet also decided to revise the Manipur Water Policy, 2015 in order to update it in the light of the current developments and redress the emerging threats and needs.

It also approved the proposal of designating Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) as Nodal Department for the implementation of Manipur Water Policy, 2015.

The Cabinet also gave its nod to the proposal of re-designating of IFCD as department of Water Resources. The department shall have the responsibility of planning and developing all water resources including rivers, water bodies, as well as drainage system in the State.

The State Cabinet also resolved to enhance the age of superannuation of teachers with MSc (Nursing) of College of Nursing under medical directorate from 62 to 65 years.

 It also approved acquisition of land for construction of 33/11 KV sub-station at Hiyangthang under World Bank funded North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP).

 The State Cabinet also approved creation of Senapati sub-division consisting of 27 villages of Tadubi sub-division and four villages of Willong Sub-Division for administrative convenience. The new sub-division will have 6983 households and 37250 population.

After the creation of Senapati sub-division, the number of villages for Tadubi sub-division will be 12 with 5292 households and 38842 population.

 The State Cabinet also approved payment of compensation in connection with acquisition of land for the construction of bridges along NH-37.