Latest news with #LandAcquisitionActof1894
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Farmers to stage protest seeking adequate compensation for land acquired for Perundurai SIPCOT
Farmers whose lands were acquired for the Perundurai SIPCOT Industrial Growth Centre, allegedly without adequate compensation, have announced a continuous sit-in protest from September 18 at the Erode Revenue Divisional Officer's office, along with their families, until the issue is resolved. The decision was taken at a recent meeting of the Perundurai SIPCOT Affected People's Welfare Association in Perundurai. In a release, the association coordinator S. Chinnasamy said around 2,709 acres were acquired nearly 30 years ago for SIPCOT. While most lands acquired through direct purchase received higher rates, about 350 acres acquired under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 through an award were given far lower compensation, ₹29,700 per acre in Ingur and ₹34,100 in Perundurai. Farmers challenged this disparity in court, and the District Court ordered additional compensation of ₹1.8 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh per acre. The Madras High Court later upheld this ruling. However, the amounts have not been fully paid to date, they said. The association has demanded that the government revise the compensation in line with the High Court's maximum ruling, ₹2.5 lakh per acre plus solatium, additional market value, interest, and value for structures and trees, and issue a Government Order to benefit all affected farmers. Mr. Chinnasamy alleged that SIPCOT currently charges industrial operators ₹81 lakh per acre and commercial establishments ₹1.62 crore per acre on 99-year leases, while original landowners continue to suffer. Many farmers have faced severe hardship, with some dying without receiving their dues. The association has appealed to all political parties, public representatives, social organisations, farmers' unions, and the public to support the protest, and urged the State government, district administration, and SIPCOT to intervene immediately.
Hindustan Times
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru Peripheral Ring Road landowners demand justice after 20-year wait. ‘No award, no rehabilitation'
Landowners affected by the proposed Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project in Bengaluru have submitted a legal representation to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), demanding urgent action on what they describe as a two-decade-long violation of their rights. The landowners claim they have faced enormous hardship due to this prolonged limbo. (Representational Image)(PTI Photo) The letter, addressed to the BDA Commissioner, outlines grievances regarding lapsed land acquisition, lack of compensation, mental distress, and an alleged arbitrary reduction in guidance value. The signatories argue that the preliminary acquisition notifications were issued over 20 years ago under the now-lapsed Land Acquisition Act of 1894. Referring to the Supreme Court's judgment in Indore Development Authority vs. Manoharlal (2020), they assert that any acquisition where no Award is passed within five years must be treated as lapsed. (Also Read: '45 acres for sky deck, only 9 for transport hub': Bengaluru MP PC Mohan slams government priorities) Holding on to land without issuing an Award or compensation, they state, is unconstitutional and violates Article 300A of the Indian Constitution which protects the Right to Property. The landowners claim they have faced enormous hardship due to this prolonged limbo. They have been denied the ability to use or develop their land, with no Award, compensation, or rehabilitation provided under either the 1894 Act or the more recent Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Act of 2013. "Landowners have suffered mental distress, financial stagnation, and missed economic opportunities," the letter notes, while also expressing concern over the lack of representation in the Price Fixation Committee. They argue that this exclusion undermines transparency and fairness in the valuation process. The representation also strongly objects to what they call an "arbitrary and discriminatory" reduction in guidance value for PRR-marked properties, alleging it is a deliberate move to lower compensation amounts. They argue that such actions violate principles of natural justice and deflate property value only for affected landowners, while surrounding areas continue to appreciate. What are their demands? The letter lays out specific demands if the BDA and the Karnataka government intend to continue with the PRR or associated projects such as the Bengaluru Business Corridor. These include: Issuing a fresh acquisition notification under the LARR Act, 2013 with full procedural compliance. Providing compensation for economic and emotional harm caused by the delay. Including affected landowners as equity stakeholders in upcoming commercial or township projects, drawing on models used in Delhi and Andhra Pradesh. Offering at least one government job per displaced family as part of a humane rehabilitation policy. The landowners warn that continued inaction will compel them to seek remedies through the Karnataka High Court and democratic channels. "The present state of indefinite acquisition without Award, suppressed land value, and lack of stakeholder engagement is legally untenable and ethically indefensible," the letter concludes. What is the PRR project? The Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project, launched by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), aims to improve connectivity across the outer stretches of Bengaluru. In April 2007, the BDA issued a preliminary notification to acquire 1,810 acres of land across 67 villages for Phase I of the project. Spanning 74 kilometers, the PRR Phase I is designed to link several key highways and state roads, including Tumakuru Road (NH-4), Hesaraghatta Road (SH-39), Doddaballapura Road (SH-9), Ballari Road (NH-7), Hennur–Bagalur Road (SH-104), Old Madras Road (NH-4), Hoskote–Anekal Road (SH-35), Sarjapur Road, and Hosur Road (NH-7). The project was envisioned as a major decongestion initiative for the city's core traffic zones. (Also Read: Bengaluru landowners may face tax hike due to PRR project: Report)
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Perundurai SIPCOT landowners seek compensation as per High Court order
Members of the Perundurai SIPCOT Affected People Welfare Association have urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to ensure compensation for 350 acres acquired in 1991 for the Perundurai SIPCOT project, in line with a Madras High Court order. The members submitted a petition through Minister for Housing, Prohibition, and Excise, S. Muthusamy, during the CM's visit to Perundurai on Wednesday. The petition said the State government had acquired 2,709 acres from farmers in Ingur and Perundurai villages three decades ago to establish the SIPCOT Industrial Growth Centre. While 2,350 acres were acquired through direct purchase, the remaining 350 acres were acquired under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 through an Award, due to procedural hurdles. For directly purchased land, the compensation paid was ₹60,000 to ₹1.20 lakh per acre in Ingur and ₹1.50 lakh to ₹2 lakh per acre in Perundurai. However, for land acquired through the Award, only ₹29,700 per acre in Ingur and ₹34,100 per acre in Perundurai was paid, the amount deposited in court based on government valuation. Challenging this disparity, affected farmers filed eight cases. The district court ruled in favour of the farmers, ordering enhanced compensation ranging from ₹1.80 lakh to ₹2.50 lakh per acre for about 69 acres. The government and SIPCOT appealed, but the Madras High Court upheld the lower court's ruling in its final verdict on March 6, 2012, directing payment of the revised amounts. The petition alleged that even after the High Court verdict, SIPCOT had not fully disbursed the compensation. In several other cases, it said, the government and SIPCOT delayed proceedings by not filing responses, leaving many claims pending. Some farmers, it added, were unable to pursue legal remedies due to lack of documents, award copies, or awareness, or because of expired deadlines. Citing Section 28A of the Land Acquisition Act of 1894, the association urged the government to re-determine the compensation, ₹2.50 lakh per acre as base land value, plus 30% solatium, 12% additional market value, and 15% interest as per the court order. The revised compensation should be formalised through a Government Order and distributed to all affected farmers, the petition said. The petition also highlighted that SIPCOT currently leased land at ₹81 lakh per acre for industrial purposes and ₹1.62 crore for commercial use. Over 100 families, it said, lost their livelihood without receiving compensation and suffered for three decades. The association requested the CM's immediate intervention to resolve the issue.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
The land beneath our laws: From 1894 to 2025!
Company Secretary - Aditi Maheshwari & Associates. Author- The Unblinking Eye! and Walking The Rainbow of Life! India's land acquisition story is not just about transferring ownership; it's a reflection of shifting power equations—between the State and citizen, development and displacement, past and progress. The evolution of land acquisition laws from colonial-era expropriation to people-centric, transparent frameworks is one of the most significant transformations in India's legal and governance landscape. As of 2025, this evolution is not just legal—it is digital, environmental, and deeply social. The British colonial government institutionalised the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 to formalise the state's authority to acquire private land for 'public purposes.' This law was engineered more for administrative efficiency than justice. Compensation was nominal, determined by government valuation, and there was no requirement for consent or rehabilitation. Landowners were essentially dispossessed by decree. Though the Act used the language of development, it served the colonial imperative—railways, plantations, administrative buildings—disregarding indigenous rights and customary land use. Unfortunately, this paternalistic model continued long after independence, with the 1894 Act remaining in force until the 21st century. Despite India's transition to democracy, the 1894 law lingered, largely unchanged. Attempts to amend it in the 1960s failed to address its core problems: forced acquisition, poor compensation, and complete neglect of rehabilitation. The discontent was palpable in countless agitations across the country—from Narmada Bachao Andolan to Bhatta-Parsaul—each highlighting the deep distrust between landowners and the State. By the early 2010s, the need for a comprehensive overhaul was undeniable. The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (LARR Act) was enacted in 2013 to replace the outdated 1894 Act. The new law reversed the principle of acquisition—from the State's right to the people's consent. It introduced: Enhanced compensation (up to 4× market rate in rural areas), Mandatory consent (70% for PPPs, 80% for private projects), Social Impact Assessments (SIA), Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) as enforceable rights, Return of unused land within five years, Transparency and public accountability mechanisms. While pathbreaking in intent, the rollout has been uneven across states. Implementation challenges, bureaucratic delays, and dilution attempts through state-specific amendments have blunted its full impact. 2014–2025: India has seen mixed outcomes post-LARR. On one hand, it has fostered a more balanced acquisition ecosystem in urban infrastructure, railways, and industrial corridors. On the other, challenges in rural and tribal areas persist—particularly with laws like the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957 which circumvent LARR protections. Several developments post-2020 have shaped the current land acquisition climate: a) Environmental and procedural reforms In 2025, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways mandated fixed timelines for land acquisition and clearances to avoid project delays, particularly for national highways. This move is aimed at de-bureaucratising acquisition while maintaining regulatory integrity. b) Digital modernisation Under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), states like Chandigarh have digitised land mapping using GIS and drones, reducing fraudulent claims and simplifying acquisition logistics. Aadhaar-enabled identification and blockchain-backed registries are also being piloted in several districts. c) Judicial Intervention The Supreme Court of India, in a landmark 2025 ruling, asserted that land compensation cannot be mechanical. In the Noida land acquisition case, it directed full compensation to farmers even after a 30-year delay—reaffirming the primacy of equity over technicality. d) State-led innovations: Land pooling models States like Punjab have introduced voluntary land pooling schemes to enable urban expansion. Though these are touted as development-friendly and consent-based, experts caution against the dilution of safeguards provided under the LARR Act. Outlook as of mid‑2025: Progress with Caveats. As India recalibrates its development trajectory, the status of land acquisition presents a mixed yet hopeful picture. Several key trends define the present scenario: Fast-track infrastructure projects: Mandatory timelines for land acquisition and statutory clearances have streamlined national highway projects. The procedural predictability is attracting more bidders and reducing project delays. Return of unused land: Reinforcing LARR's spirit, amendments to the National Highways Act now obligate the return of acquired land if not utilised within five years, strengthening accountability. Digital and transparent acquisition systems: Unified digital land records, GIS-based mapping, and real-time tracking of acquisition status have made the process more transparent and less prone to manipulation. Judicial checks on arbitrary compensation: Courts are increasingly intervening to ensure that compensation considers location, future development potential, and equitable treatment of all affected parties. Social and environmental justice gaps remain: The Social Impact Assessment mechanism still lacks depth in capturing environmental and gender-specific impacts. Particularly in tribal and ecologically sensitive zones, assessments often remain perfunctory. Land is not merely an economic asset in India—it is emotion, identity, and legacy. As development intensifies, the State must evolve from being an acquirer to an enabler. This means: Expanding LARR's framework to include climate resilience, biodiversity valuation, and gender parity in compensation. Investing in local capacity building, especially for panchayats and district magistrates who anchor acquisition processes. Revisiting exemption laws like the Coal Bearing Areas Act, to align with constitutional rights and ecological mandates. Strengthening tribal protections, especially in Scheduled Areas, under PESA and FRA laws to make consent not just procedural but meaningful. India's land acquisition journey—from colonial extraction to constitutional empowerment—reflects its democratic maturation. The LARR Act of 2013 was a turning point, but as of 2025, it needs strengthening, not rollback. The challenge now is to build on its ethical foundations, reinforce justice, and recognise land acquisition not as a transaction—but a transformation. Only then can we say the law truly serves the people it affects most. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
The Print
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Aligarh Muslim University students protest against takeover of land by civic authorities
The protest was triggered by the sudden arrival of Aligarh Nagar Nigam officials at the university campus on Thursday. The officials erected a signboard marking the land as government property. The demonstration culminated at the Sir Syed Gate, where the protesters submitted a memorandum addressed to the district magistrate to officials. Aligarh (UP), May 2 (PTI) A group of students in the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) staged a protest march on the campus on Friday against the Nagar Nigam's takeover of 41 bighas of land belonging to the university's Riding Club. The memorandum given to the district magistrate urged for an immediate and impartial inquiry into the 'unilateral takeover' of the land, which the university asserts has been in its possession since 1940, having been acquired under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894. The AMU Teachers' Association was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on Friday evening to assess the implications of this action of the municipal authorities. In an official release, the university said it is 'taking all necessary legal steps to retain the land'. PTI COR CDN RC This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
