Russia intends to speed up land reform
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MOSCOW. Dec 7 (Interfax) – The president of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic is expected in the coming days to sign a decree on urgent measures to implement land reform.
According to the draft decree, some of the main obstacles to implementing agrarian reform will be removed.
Russia has introduced title of ownership of land. However, the Russian constitution prohibits selling and buying land, which, experts believe, is the main factor hindering effective market-based land use in Russia.
The draft decree states that "all lands are included in the property turnover based only on the rights of ownership and lease."
Thus, the right to 'perpetual use' of lands is being abolished for collective and state farms, while all lands used by such farms must be transferred to the private ownership of certain individuals or the collective ownership of former employees of these farms by May 1, 1992. These farms must either disband or be transformed into joint-stock, collective enterprises.
Land that does not become the private property of individuals or collective enterprises must be merged into a special fund, which will provide land to people willing to run their own businesses.
According to the draft decree, a special Russian Land Bank will be established on January 1, 1992. However, experts believe that due to the ban on selling and buying land, the bank’s activity will be limited to collateral involving land.
Some experts believe the draft decree could be viewed as an attempt to ensure the effective redistribution of agriculture land in the absence of opportunities for selling and buying land plots.
Some lawyers think that the draft decree in fact contradicts the current Russian constitution.