IE DLOs asked to keep paddy land intact
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 04 2022:
District level officers in Imphal East district have been instructed to take up necessary action to ensure that paddy lands in the district remain as paddy land.
Issuing an order in this regard, Imphal East DC Khumanthem Daina said that land owners cannot convert paddy land into habitation or do reclamation as per provision of the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014 .
Under the Act, no land owners shall begin construction of houses/structures merely with submission of application or initiation of process for replacement of paddy land into habitation or reclamation, the order said.
According to the order, section 14 of the Act allows a revenue department officer not below the rank of SDO or an officer authorised by the government or, a police officer not below the rank of SI to seize/impound materials and vehicles from the construction site anytime.
It is the duty of agriculture officer concerned to report about construction on paddy land to the SDO concerned and accordingly revenue department in Imphal East district, police officer not below the rank of SI and agriculture officers concerned shall initiate necessary action to ensure that paddy lands remain intact as per provision of the Act.
The order also cautioned those violating provisions of the Act to stop activities which are in contradiction to the Act.