Minister Sefer Aliev answers questions of Dagestani bloggers about land privatization

In the social network "Facebook", the group "Dagestan on-line" held an online-conference with the Sefer Aliev, Minister of Land and Property Relations of Dagestani Government. The conference discussed the issue of the introduction of private ownership of land. The participants of the conference also discussed the consequences that may occur as a result of land conflicts and ignoring of national interests in the "land" issues.

According to Minister Sefer Aliev, he expected that the issue would cause a mixed assessment of the society. The Minister has also noted that many people, who rent land plots or have land plots in lifetime inheritable possession, will be able to purchase the land plots after the introduction of private property, and that fact "would allow more efficient use of not only the land plots, but also the ownership of land." The Minister has added that those people, who do not have any land plots, will be able to buy them.

A user Elena Alieva asked how the rights of owners of small land plots would be protected, since so-called "latifundium owners", who would buy land plots to expand their holdings, would inevitably appear.

The blogger Shi Khuandi has notes that he, being a representative of Kumyk public, is interested whether the inventory of land in the plain land and demarcation of jurisdiction had been completed.

In his turn, the Minister has stated that the introduction of private ownership of agricultural land will help to solve disputes and conflicts, which arise on a national basis.

A blogger DaizyDi has noted that representatives of national communities of Dagestan are concerned that the introduction of private ownership of land could destabilize the situation in the republic. "Whether we like it or not, the theme of private ownership of land will raise the issue of 'land of ancestors'," the blogger wrote.

"I would like to note that in accordance with Paragraph 3 of Article 22 of the Law of the Republic of Dagestan 'On Land', the land plots cannot be returned and the value of the land plots, which had been nationalized by January 1, 1991, in accordance with the law in effect at the time of nationalization of the land plots, is not a subject to refund or reimbursement," the Minister has reminded the audience.

"In the event if Dagestani residents vote for private ownership of land, which categories of land plots will be sold and whether there will be any relationship with the national issue and whether any phased sale of land plots based on their category will be stipulated?" asked Murat Shakhtamanov, a member of the social network.

Sefer Aliev has also emphasized that at present, out of the seven existing categories of land plots, subjects to privatization are land plots, included in the category of land plots of dwelling settlements, industrial land plots and land plots of other special purposes.