Jan Vishwas bill moots fine, jail for grabbing govt land

The bill — introduced in Lok Sabha on Friday — proposes to amend Section-11 of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act that at present provides for six months’ jail or with Rs 5,000 penalty or both. As per the proposal, the fine would be 5% of land value for every year of occupation or both — penalty and jail. Officials said this would deter encroachment and check land grabbing.

By DIPAK K DASH