PM strengthens protection of I taukei land

The protection of I taukei land has now been strengthened after amendments made to the State Lands Act.

Making the announcement yesterday afternoon, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum said under the state Lands decree any I taukei land which is exchanged for portions of state land can no longer be exchanged for private free hold land.

Sayed Khaiyum said this is to ensure that the itaukei land will not be permanently alienated from them.

He said this was the practice with previous governments to profit at the expense of the I taukei landowners which was not transparent.