Latest news with #LandAcquisitionActof1894
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.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
AMU fumes as civic body claims ownership of horse riding field
Agra: An urgent meeting was convened at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on Thursday after the municipal corporation installed a signboard on a 4.105-acre plot used by the university for horse riding, asserting ownership of the land. The sign, put up on Wednesday, read: "This property belongs to Aligarh nagar nigam ," prompting a strong reaction from university officials. AMU authorities said that the land used as a horse riding field has been in the university's possession for nearly 80 years and was legally acquired under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894. The university said "it had received no prior notice from the municipal corporation and is now pursuing legal action to assert its claim". Shakeel Ahmed, AMU professor and member-in-charge of property and waqf, said, "We are taking this matter seriously and preparing to approach a higher authority. This land belongs to the university, and we have all the documents to prove it. The signboard was installed without informing us or giving us a chance to present our case. This is a serious issue, and we will move to the appropriate forum." In response, Aligarh municipal commissioner Vinod Kumar said, "As per our records and revenue documents, the land belongs to Aligarh nagar nigam. After due verification of the revenue record, the land was reclaimed." Agra: An urgent meeting was convened at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on Thursday after the municipal corporation installed a signboard on a 4.105-acre plot used by the university for horse riding, asserting ownership of the land. The sign, put up on Wednesday, read: "This property belongs to Aligarh nagar nigam," prompting a strong reaction from university officials. AMU authorities said that the land used as a horse riding field has been in the university's possession for nearly 80 years and was legally acquired under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894. The university said "it had received no prior notice from the municipal corporation and is now pursuing legal action to assert its claim". Shakeel Ahmed, AMU professor and member-in-charge of property and waqf, said, "We are taking this matter seriously and preparing to approach a higher authority. This land belongs to the university, and we have all the documents to prove it. The signboard was installed without informing us or giving us a chance to present our case. This is a serious issue, and we will move to the appropriate forum." In response, Aligarh municipal commissioner Vinod Kumar said, "As per our records and revenue documents, the land belongs to Aligarh nagar nigam. After due verification of the revenue record, the land was reclaimed."
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
AMU challenges takeover of prime land by Nagar Nigam, claims legal ownership
Aligarh, Authorities at the Aligarh Muslim University are mulling to take legal action after the Aligarh Nagar Nigam took over 41 bighas of prime land currently under the university's Riding Club, claiming the land belonged to the civic body. The estimated market value of the disputed land exceeds ₹126 crore, sources said. In a swift operation on Wednesday, Nagar Nigam officials asserted ownership of the land and accused the Aligarh Muslim University of "illegally occupying" the property. Chief municipal officer Vinod Kumar said, "AMU is unlawfully holding on to large chunks of government land. We are identifying such plots and taking appropriate action. All necessary procedural steps were followed before Wednesday's move." According to municipal officials, AMU was asked to furnish ownership documents for the land but failed to do so a claim the university strongly refuted. Shakeel Ahmad Khan, member in-charge of AMU properties, told reporters, "We did not receive a single formal notice on this issue. We came to know informally that something was being planned, so we verbally informed the Nagar Nigam officials that we were ready to present documents upon receiving a written notice. However, our offer was ignored." AMU's chief spokesperson Vibha Sharma said the university promptly issued an official statement following Wednesday's action. "AMU acquired the land more than 80 years ago under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 through a government order. The university maintained continuous possession of the land for the past eight decades," Sharma said, adding that the university was not served a formal notice before the takeover. She also confirmed that the university was in the process of initiating legal proceedings to reclaim the land. "We are taking all necessary legal steps to re-establish AMU's rightful ownership of the land," Sharma said. The Nagar Nigam's action has sparked outrage across the AMU community. Former AMU vice-chancellor Lt Gen Zameeruddin Shah told PTI, "It is difficult to understand how such drastic action could be taken without following the due legal process. All the relevant documents are in place, and I am confident that they will stand scrutiny in a court of law." Former AMU students' union president Faizul Hasan demanded the resignation of senior varsity officials, alleging negligence and holding them responsible for the "crisis". A senior AMU official, requesting anonymity, questioned the municipality's claim. "This land was not under the jurisdiction of the Aligarh municipality when AMU acquired it in the early 1940s. The Nagar Nigam's claim is baseless," the official said. Historian Rahat Abrar, an expert on the Aligarh Movement, also weighed in. "This particular tract was selected by then vice-chancellor Ziauddin in the 1940s for establishing a medical college. Even a foundation stone was laid there. The idea that such a vital institutional plan would be carried out on a disputed land is unthinkable," Abrar said. He added that earlier the AMU administration designated officials often retired state revenue officials to manage land and property records. "This system has weakened in recent years, contributing to the current situation," Abrar said. AMU's top officials convened an emergency meeting on Thursday and said a formal decision on the university's next course of action would be announced soon.
News18
22-04-2025
- Politics
- News18
Raisina Hill: What Existed Before Rashtrapati Bhavan And Who Owned The Land?
Raisina Hill, once a village, became Rashtrapati Bhavan's site after the British moved the national capital to Delhi in 1911. Long before the stately domes and manicured gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan began to dominate the skyline of New Delhi, the land it stands on had a much humbler identity. Known then as Raisina Hill, it was little more than a modest village where about 300 families led simple lives, relying on agriculture and cattle rearing. But the tide of history was about to sweep through this quiet enclave in a way no one could have imagined. The transformation began in 1911 when the British Empire, during the Delhi Durbar of that year, declared that the national capital would be shifted from Kolkata to Delhi. This strategic move was rooted in both historical resonance and geographical convenience. In the aftermath of that decision, Raisina Hill was chosen as the epicentre of the new capital. Its elevated terrain made it a prime candidate for housing the most important buildings of the British Raj, including what was then envisioned as the residence of the Viceroy. The land, however, was not empty. A report from DNA suggests that prior to the British taking ownership of the land, the area was under the ownership of Jaipur's Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh who, at that time, gifted the Jaipur Column, a towering structure in front of Rashtrapati Bhavan which stands as a tribute to the royal association. However, in recent years, some people have came forward claiming that they are the original owners of Lutyens' Delhi, which includes the land where the magnificent Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament, North Block, and South Block are located. As reported by The New Indian Express, residents of the erstwhile Malcha village, now known as Raisina Hill, have accused the Centre of failing to provide compensation for ancestral land appropriated nearly 103 years ago. According to a few reports, the British government, in 1912, had acquired about 1,700 acres of the land from farmers residing in 150 villages. Some of the descendants of those farmers, now relocated in Haryana, are asking for compensation for the acquired land at the current market rate. As per a petition filed at the Delhi High Court, the petitioners, Sajjan Singh and Kadam Singh, claimed lineage to original residents of Malcha village and currently reside in Sonepat, Haryana. Their plea challenged what they call an unjust land grab executed under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894. Construction of the grand Viceroy's House, renamed Rashtrapati Bhavan after independence, began in 1912 and took 17 long years to complete, wrapping up in 1929. It was a massive undertaking in every sense. Originally expected to be finished in four years, the project ballooned in both time and cost, eventually consuming over Rs 1.38 crore. Two architects, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, were entrusted with the design. Lutyens in particular left a lasting mark on the city; the surrounding area, known today as Lutyens' Delhi, still bears his name and architectural legacy. A blend of Indian motifs and Western classical styles, the building is a harmonious fusion of domes, columns, and intricate carvings, a testament to imperial ambition and architectural grandeur. The construction process itself was a monumental feat. Raisina Hill had to be flattened significantly to accommodate the sprawling structure. This meant extensive use of explosives and the transportation of massive quantities of soil and stone. A special railway line was laid to facilitate the movement of heavy building materials, including sandstone and marble sourced from Rajasthan and other parts of the country. Rashtrapati Bhavan today boasts 340 rooms, including the majestic Durbar Hall and sprawling Mughal Gardens that draw thousands of visitors annually. Yet, beneath its polished floors and gilded ceilings lies a story of displacement, royal patronage, colonial ambition, and architectural marvel, a story rooted in a once-quiet hill that rose to become the most powerful address in the country. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz, and global sensations. From heartwarming reunions to bizarre events, it keeps you updated on what's capturing the internet's attention First Published:
Express Tribune
05-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sewage project land repurposed for nursery
A piece of land acquired for a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) with the Asian Development Bank's funding has been repurposed to establish a nursery for the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA). Originally, 5500 kanals of land was allocated for the STP, but 1,000 kanals have been used for the said nursery. According to sources, the land has been provided for three years under a 25-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement stipulates that PHA will receive 80 per cent of the nursery's revenue, while 20 per cent will be allocated to WASA. Sources said that the approval for this repurposing came during the 64th meeting of the Rawalpindi Development Authority's (RDA) governing body, held on September 15, 2023. At that time, Liaquat Ali Chatta was the commissioner of Rawalpindi, while Saif Anwar Jappa served as the director-general of RDA. The land, initially acquired by WASA under the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 for the STP project, had been designated for the sewage treatment plant funded by the Asian Development Bank. However, due to delays in starting the Nullah Leh project, which would channel the open sewage to the plant, the STP could not be installed. Instead, 1000 kanals of the 5,500-kanal land was allotted to PHA for a large-scale nursery, under a 25-year agreement, with the first term set for three years. The MoU states that if the nursery generates income, 20 per cent will go to WASA and 80 per cent to PHA. The government of Punjab has provided Rs41.26 million to RDA to conduct a new feasibility study for the Nullah Leh project. Meanwhile, WASA is facing challenges due to non-payment to landowners for the acquired land and judicial orders freezing its bank accounts due to additional price awards. Despite the nursery's establishment, WASA sources report that it has yet to receive its share of the earnings. In response to inquiries, Ahmed Hassan Ranjha, Director-General of PHA, stated that the nursery's primary purpose remains the same, and once the sewage treatment plant is installed, the nursery will be shut down. He added that while the nursery has not yet begun generating revenue, plants are being prepared for the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, and when income starts, WASA will receive its share. The repurposing of the land for the nursery has sparked mixed reactions, with some community members questioning the delay in the STP project and the long-term use of valuable land. While the nursery serves as a temporary solution, there is growing concern over the potential environmental impact and future development of the area once the sewage treatment plant is finally installed. Local authorities are under pressure to balance economic development with environmental sustainability, as the region awaits progress on the long-delayed Nullah Leh project.
