Moscow, June 1 (IANS): The Russian government on Wednesday started a programme to allow local residents to lease land for free in the Far East, authorities said.
People living in the northwestern part of Primorsky region and bordering Lake Khanka, will be the first to benefit from the programme, Efe news cited the administration as saying on its website.
The programme will be expanded on October 1 this year to allow all residents of the Far East to lease one hectare of land per head for free.
The programme will be expanded to cover all residents of Russia in February 2017, authorities said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill into law in early May that allows citizens to lease land for free for up to five years in the Far East to attract more settlers.
The land will become private property if, after five years of use, it is proved to have been developed. Otherwise, it will be returned to the government.