The Assam government on November 25 introduced The Assam District Land Tribunal Bill, 2025, proposing the establishment of independent district-level tribunals to protect land rights in tribal belts and blocks, fulfilling Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. The bill aims to create specialised quasi-judicial bodies with powers equivalent to civil courts to adjudicate cases of land alienation and encroachment in protected areas, replacing the existing appeal system under revenue officials. Eleven tribunals will be set up, utilising existing revenue infrastructure, and each will be chaired by a retired district or additional district judge. Appeals against tribunal decisions can be made to the Gauhati High Court. This move signifies the government’s commitment to strengthening land governance, ensuring faster dispute resolution, and protecting the culture, identity, and land rights of the Assamese people, particularly in tribal regions. The bill also seeks to repeal Section 169 of the Assam Land & Revenue Regulation, 1886, and addresses delays and accountability issues in the current system. This step is seen as a major policy implementation under the Assam Accord and an effort to provide inclusive and equitable land governance.
