Govt suspends agriculture island leases
While the ministry said it was in the process of amending the regulations, it had amended the regulations last year as well.
By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
Government on Wednesday suspended leasing uninhabited islands for agricultural and farming works.
The fisheries ministry in a notification issued on Wednesday said that proposals for lease of uninhabited islands have been put on hold with effect.
The fisheries ministry's notification said that the decision to put an end to the practice was taken in view of the ongoing process of amending the Regulations on Uninhabited Areas of the Country. It did not say how long such leases were stopped for the islands.
While the ministry said it was in the process of amending the regulations, it had amended the regulations last year as well. Some of the amendments made to the regulations in March last year:
-
10 years as the maximum period of lease for uninhabited islands
-
Giving the minister the power to take over the islands without compensation even if the agreement is not violated by the government
-
In cases where the government takes over the island, the lessee has no right to cut or remove any trees planted on the island's soil.
