'Nautor land' is waste land owned by the government outside towns and reserved protected forests, which is allowed to be utilized by locals with the sanction of the competent authority. The issue was raised by Kinnaur MLA and deputy speaker Jagat Singh Negi in the Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting held in Shimla on Saturday. During elections, non-availability of 'nautor' land remains a major poll issue in tribal areas of the state and now the issue is again being raised ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. For last many years tribals residing in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts, besides Pangi and Bharmaur regions of Chamba district, have been demanding speedy disposal of 'nautor' cases but enforcement of (FCA) restricts that.
Before the enforcement of FCA in 1980, 'nautor' land was being allotted to people in tribal areas and now those left out in the process are not happy with the forest Act which is depriving them of their rights. Sources said that the 'nautor' system was introduced in 1968 but was banned in 1975. But ban was lifted in the tribal areas in 1976 and under the scheme maximum ceiling of land was been fixed at 20 bighas.
Vivekanand Negi, a resident of Ribba village of Kinnaur district, said that in past applications were accepted from tribals for grant of 'nautor' land but till date no further action was initiated under the pretext of FCA. "If allotment was not possible then why people were asked to apply," he added.
In the TAC meeting chaired by chief minister Virbhadra Singh, Negi demanded that either the Act should be amended or suspended as it has deprived thousands of tribals from getting 'nautor' lands. He also demanded that under the 5{+t}{+h} Schedule of Constitution, tribal law should be enacted in the state to ensure speedy development of tribal areas. "Around 10,000 cases are pending in Kinnaur district alone as the state government is not able to sanction 'nautor' land to applicants," he said.
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