The Assam government has introduced the Assam Satra Preservation and Development Commission Bill, 2025, aiming to protect and manage the state’s Vaishnavite monasteries known as ‘satras’. The Bill proposes to establish a specialised quasi-judicial body endowed with civil court powers to preserve, regulate, and manage satras and their lands. The commission will address encroachment issues, fragmented land records, and weak institutional coordination that currently hinder the lawful protection and sustainable management of these religious and cultural institutions.
The commission will hear appeals against district commissioners’ orders, conduct surveys, and initiate suo motu inquiries on encroachment cases, while recommending conservation of heritage structures and artefacts. Officials will be appointed on deputation to maintain operational efficiency without creating a permanent administrative burden. The Bill also allows the state government to issue policy directions, assign additional responsibilities, and protect actions taken in good faith.
This legislation intends to establish a coherent and legally robust framework to safeguard Assam’s Vaishnavite heritage, prevent misuse of satra lands, and promote culturally sensitive development in the public interest. It also envisions fostering heritage tourism, digital documentation, dispute resolution, and community participation to ensure sustainable preservation and growth of these critical cultural institutions.
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