As property values soar across Uttarakhand, school lands have become a prime target for land mafias, leading to increasing encroachments. Out of approximately 17,000 government schools in the state, around 4,891 received land through donations, which remains unregistered under their names. This issue is prompting state officials to act swiftly, with Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat instructing authorities to register school lands and remove encroachments. Schools without registered land may also face restrictions on receiving financial aid under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.
Uttarakhand Schools:Rising Land Prices and Encroachments
With the rapid appreciation of land prices in Uttarakhand, not only are rivers and streams at risk of illegal occupation, but school lands, too, have drawn the attention of encroachers. There have been cases where donated school lands are being claimed by new generations of donors’ families. Furthermore, nearly 4,300 elementary schools and 591 secondary schools are still operating on unregistered land, making them vulnerable to illegal claims.
Proposed Legal Measures for Protection
Education authorities have recognized the gravity of the situation and aim to implement protective measures. This includes creating a clear policy for land registration and bringing proposals to the cabinet to ensure all government school lands are legally secured. Schools located on forest land, in particular, will require special provisions to facilitate their land registration. Without proper legal ownership, some schools have been relocated after being caught up in legal disputes, as seen in the case of a junior high school in Dehradun where the land’s worth reached nearly INR 200 crore.
Ministerial Review and Future Actions
Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat emphasized that land registration for all schools is essential to protect them from encroachment. A cabinet proposal is also in the works to ensure that forested areas housing schools are included in the registry process. Rawat has further instructed officials to ensure that schools which do not register their lands will not receive financial assistance under the Samagra Shiksha program.
In response, authorities plan to raise awareness among schools and communities to protect the lands and prevent future disputes.
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