Nazool Land

• Violence has erupted in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani district at the site of a mosque and madrasa, allegedly on Nazool land.
• It is owned by the government but most often not directly administered as state property. 
• The state generally allots such land to any entity on lease for a fixed period, generally between 15 and 99 years.
• In case the lease term is expiring, one can approach the authority to renew the lease by submitting a written application to the Revenue Department of the local development authority. 
• The government is free to either renew the lease or cancel it.

Emergence of Nazool Land :

• During British rule, lands of  several kings and kingdoms were taken, who lost in  battles with britishers.
• After India got Independence, the British vacated these lands. But with kings and royals often lacking proper documentation to prove prior ownership, these lands were marked as Nazool land — to be owned by the respective state governments.
  
  Government usage:
• The government generally uses this land for public purposes like building schools, hospitals, Gram Panchayat buildings, etc. Several cities in India have also seen large tracts of land used for housing societies, generally on lease.
• It is governed by The Nazool Lands (Transfer) Rules, 1956.

Read about Nazool Land from official website of Punjab for Punjab PCS preparation, click here

Practice Questions for Prelims

Consider the following statements regarding Nazool Land :
1. Nazool land is owned by the government but most often not directly administered as state property. 
2. The state generally allots such land to any entity on lease for a fixed period, generally between 15 and 99 years.
3. The Nazool land can be allocated for religious purposes only.

How many of the statements give above is/are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None

Ans. b)

Chetan Bharat Learning is the best institute in Chandigarh for UPSC IAS ,PCS preparation. To know more about Chetan Bharat Learning’s Online & Classroom Courses, click on the following links: