Historic digital ‘patta’ distribution drive fulfills recent cabinet decision, granting long-awaited land ownership and dignity to marginalized communities.
In a major step toward securing the housing rights of marginalized communities, the Hailakandi district administration began distributing digital land pattas (title deeds) to tea garden workers on Saturday. The inaugural distribution ceremony, held at the Narsingpur Tea Estate under the jurisdiction of the Lala Police Station, witnessed overwhelming enthusiasm from the local workforce.
The initiative follows a recent cabinet decision spearheaded by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. While approximately 800 workers from the Narsingpur estate submitted applications for land rights, the administration successfully approved and distributed the first 200 pattas during Saturday’s event.
Rebika Manki, a resident of the Kalachhara grant, was the first beneficiary to officially receive her documents at the ceremony. She was granted ownership of 3,529 square meters of land, officially registered under dag number 1819 and patta number 435.
Barunchhara-Bilaipur Zilla Parishad Member Biplab Oyari attended the event as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, he praised the current BJP government for resolving a deeply entrenched and complex issue that previous administrations had neglected. He noted that while former chief ministers had offered the workers empty promises, CM Sarma’s foresight has finally translated into concrete action.
“The workers will no longer have to live on someone else’s property. They can now reside on their own homesteads with self-respect and special dignity,” Oyari remarked. He also took the opportunity to highlight concurrent developmental strides in the region, pointing out that both healthcare services and road infrastructure within the tea gardens have seen significant improvements under the current administration.
The milestone distribution event was executed in the presence of key local administrators, including Lala Circle Officer Siddhartha Sonowal, Circle Office Field Officer M.H. Hasan, and the Lala Block Mandal Patwari.