Land Acquisition Made Easy!

Government can consider the following in the Land Acquisition Bill

Problem: Farmers are unwilling to part with their piece of land because they had seen others who accepted the compensation, frittering it away in a few years and left with nothing. Besides they have seen land prices going up b leaps and bounds and will always feel that they are short changed.

Remedy: Proposed compensation should be in multiples of current market value. But should be broken down in the form of down cash payment on possession, monthly payment for a fixed number of years, an insurance policy for a fixed sum which will entitle them to a regular monthly payment till death and on that occurrence a lumpsum payment. If proper ratio is either fixed or given as an option, while the immediate outgo will be reasonable, farmers will rest assured that their future will not be in jeopardy. Alternative options: Offer of a larger area in a different area; offer of a bank loan for starting a business by a family member in very liberal terms; student loan / subsidy at very liberal terms for family member(s).

Problem: After acquisition land not being utilized or diverted for other purposes.

Remedy: Possession of land should be taken only after a notice is served giving at least a couple of months time after the agreement is signed and the first payment is made. If there is a standing crop the seller should be fairly compensated for it as also for any house or other construction such as tube well, etc. which might have to be destroyed. However, these issues should solely decided by time bound arbitration without recourse to court and in no way make the sale invalid. While the government may reserve the right to use the land for other purposes, including re-allotting it to private industry, seller should be compensated for any increase in value of land by the time the new land use is announced.