Overview

• Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said legislation will be introduced to let tribal landowners lease primarily barren plots to private entities for farming, solar projects or mineral extraction.
• The proposal sets a minimum lease rent of Rs 50,000 per acre per year, or Rs 1.25 lakh per hectare, with scope for higher amounts by mutual agreement.
• Agreements would be executed before the district collector rather than at Mantralaya, with officials saying land ownership would remain with tribal lessors.
• MoUs for mining are envisioned with payments per tonne or per brass of minerals, though exact benefit rates and other operational details are still being drafted.
• Opposition figures, including Congress leaders and BJP MLA Rajendra Gavit, have criticized the plan and warned of protests, while the government says fertile land will be excluded.