Guwahati: The budget for 2026-27 announced that Mission Basundhara 4.0 will be launched on Dec 25, with a renewed focus on securing land rights for indigenous communities and tightening eligibility for future land allotments by linking them to long-term residency in the state.Finance minister Jayanta Mallahbaruah said in his budget speech the fourth phase of the flagship land reforms programme would prioritise digital surveys of char (riverine) areas, settlement of land rights in the Barak Valley, and recognition of land rights for indigenous communities, including the Moran, Matak, Ahom, Chutia and Koch Rajbongshi communities.In a significant policy announcement, the govt said it would introduce legislative and administrative changes to ensure that govt land allotments are made only to persons whose families have been residing in Assam for at least three generations. The proposal is aimed at strengthening land governance and safeguarding the land rights of indigenous people.The govt will also roll out three major initiatives under Mission Basundhara 4.0 — Project Jorip, Project MATI and Project ASOM — to digitally update land records, modernise the land registration system and create a unified digital land governance platform.The latest phase builds on the success of the earlier three rounds of Mission Basundhara, under which over 3.56 lakh families were granted ownership rights over 4.53 lakh bighas of land, making it one of the largest land rights initiatives undertaken in Assam.The govt also announced plans to simplify land-use conversion for MSMEs and khadi industries through a self-service mechanism, although the facility will not be extended to polluting industries.Before the formal launch, the govt will seek suggestions from legislators and the public over the next two months to identify gaps in the previous phases and incorporate them into Mission Basundhara 4.0, which it said would make the programme more effective and responsive to local needs.
