The Government has asked Tata Steel to give details of land given to others and land encroachments since 2005. The lease ends in December 2025. People living in 86 bastis now hope to get land ownership. The new lease will start in 2026.
As the current land lease agreement between Tata Steel and the Jharkhand government approaches its end on 31st December 2025, the district administration has started the groundwork for its renewal. A letter has been sent to Tata Steel, asking for detailed records of land transferred under the Business Transfer Agreement (BTA) and encroachments on leased land since 2005. The lease agreement, signed on 20th August 2005, had granted Tata Steel 10,852.29 acres of land for industrial and residential development in Jamshedpur. With only a few months left before the agreement expires, preparations for its renewal, effective from 1st January 2026 are now in full swing.
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What the Administration is Asking For
The letter, issued by Bhagirath Prasad, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) and in-charge of Tata Lease matters, has instructed the company to submit the complete details of land transferred to third parties under BTA (Business Transfer Agreement), and a ward & plot-wise report on encroachments that occurred between 2005 and June 2025 on the leased land within three days.
What About the Bastis (Settlements)?
With the lease renewal process picking up pace, the future of 86 major settlements (bastis) in and around the leased area has once again become a topic of public concern. Over the years, the number of such bastis has reportedly increased to 117, with nearly 4 to 5 lakh people living in these areas. Residents and local leaders are now demanding ownership rights over the land, many of whom have been living in these settlements for decades.
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A Long History of Demands and Delays
The demand for legal rights over land in these bastis is not new. The struggle began as early as 1996, with the formation of the Central Basti Vikas Samiti and multiple representations to state leaders. Notable events over the years included a massive rallies and meetings with top political figures including Arjun Munda, Raghubar Das, and Babulal Marandi. Surveys conducted under different Schedules (notably Schedule 4 and 5), identifying over 1,800 acres of land as outside the lease boundary but still occupied by residents.
Despite these efforts, very little progress has been made on the ground. A policy introduced during Raghubar Das’ tenure allowed leasing of land based on documents available prior to 1st January, 1985, but only three people were granted leases under this policy, while dozens of applications remain pending or were rejected.
Encroachments and Unauthorized Constructions
According to Government records and surveys, around 17,986 houses have been built on these 1,800 acres, many of which fall outside the official lease boundary. In some cases, residents have constructed large buildings or even sold land parcels without any legal documentation. A scheduled survey was supposed to be conducted for bastis settled on subleased (Schedule 4) land, but that work was never completed. Now, with the lease renewal date nearing, questions are again being raised, will the residents finally get ownership rights, or just more false promises?
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