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Builder Bureaucracy nexus Himachal under fire as Kisan Sabha sounds alarm over Agrarian crisis
Shimla/Solan, Apr 17,
The Himachal Pradesh Kisan Sabha (HKS) has raised serious concerns over the growing influence of an alleged land mafia operating in connivance with sections of the top bureaucracy, warning that large tracts of agricultural, forest, grassland and pasture land are being systematically encroached upon across the state.
Addressing a press conference in Shimla, CPM leader and former Mayor Sanjay Chauhan along with HKS state president Dr Kuldeep Singh Tanwar accused what they described as a “builder–bureaucracy nexus” of undermining traditional land-use systems. They alleged that illegal mining, indiscriminate dumping of construction debris into water streams, and obstruction of revenue pathways and irrigation sources such as bawaris are becoming widespread.
They further stated that amendments made during the previous BJP government to groundwater regulations have allowed builders to extract and use groundwater for commercial and domestic purposes. According to the Sabha, this has intensified pressure on local water resources, posing a serious challenge to nearby farmers and adversely affecting their livelihoods.
The leaders claimed that permissions for such activities are being granted in a non-transparent manner, bypassing established construction and revenue laws, thereby posing a serious threat to agriculture and rural livelihoods. They further alleged that successive governments have “turned a blind eye,” while local political actors remain complicit in enabling these practices.
In Solan district, the issue has taken a sharper turn with a delegation of around 50 farmers meeting the Deputy Commissioner to lodge complaints against alleged violations linked to the Chester Hill Project in Bergaon and adjoining villages under Panchayat Padg. The administration has directed the SDM to submit a report.
According to a memorandum submitted by the Solan unit of the Kisan Sabha, large-scale illegal dumping of construction debris into drains and private land has disrupted irrigation systems, blocked access to grazing routes, and caused extensive crop damage during rains. Farmers have also alleged coercion and pressure tactics aimed at forcing them to sell or lease land at undervalued rates.
The Sabha has demanded a high-level probe, immediate removal of dumped debris, restoration of water channels and pasture access, compensation to affected farmers, and strict enforcement of Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Land Reforms Act. It warned of a mass movement if prompt action is not taken.
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