Dehradun: The Cabinet has approved a system for acquiring land from landowners in Uttarakhand state for small, medium, and large-scale projects on the basis of mutual agreement. This will allow the implementing agency to acquire land quickly, and landowners will also receive compensation for their land promptly. This system will pave the way for the speedy implementation of projects.
Land acquisition is carried out for projects such as road and dam construction. This involves a lengthy process. First, the land for the project is identified. After that, an advertisement is issued for land acquisition. This is followed by a notification. Then, compensation is distributed. This is the process under normal circumstances.
Even then, land acquisition can take a year or more. However, the proposal approved by the Cabinet provides another option for land acquisition (under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013) for both the implementing agency and the landowners.
Landowners will also receive compensation for their land quickly.
If an agency needs land, it will contact the landowners. Negotiations will take place regarding the price based on the compensation provisions for urban and rural areas. If both parties agree, the implementing agency will register the land and provide the payment directly to the landowners.
This is expected to reduce the time taken compared to the current process by three to four times. This will also allow landowners to receive compensation for their land quickly. In addition, it will reduce litigation. Revenue Secretary S.N. Pandey says that sometimes it takes a long time to acquire land for projects; now this will be another option. This will make it easier to acquire land for projects. According to officials, this will also reduce the cost of the projects.
