Land acquisition in India
Encyclopedia
Land Acquisition in India refers to a situation where the poor
or low
wage earners (characterized as farmers), own land allocated for industrial construction and these farmers are not adequatly compensated. As the economy approaches the industrial stream from the agrarian with more factories and industries, the poor peasants often are made to sacrifice their land. This is consequences of an old bill, the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 where prices per-acre of land has been fairly low. Further, the political parties in India
have widely dominated the influence and control over the acquisition process in India
.
since the era of Independence
, with over 21.6 million people in the period of 1951-90. They have been displaced with heavy scale projects like dams, canals, thermal plants, sanctuaries, industries and mining. These occurrences are further being categorized as ‘development-related displacement’.
The process of Land Acquisition in India
has proved out to be poor in regard to growth of the country. The amount reimbursed is fairly low with regard to the current index of prices prevailing in the economy. Furthermore, due to the poor Human Capital of the displaced people they fail to get jobs and are a victim of several problems.
The draft of the government’s ‘National Policy for Rehabilitation’ states that a figure around 75% of the displaced people since 1951 are still awaiting rehabilitation. However, it should be noted that displacement is only being considered with regard to ‘Direct Displacement’. These rehabilitation policies do not cover fisher folk, landless laborers and artisans.
On a rough account, almost one in ten Indian tribal’s is a displaced person. Projects that comprise of dams have displaced close to a million adivasis. The stories of displaced dalits are even harsher to know. The ‘Walter Fernandes of the Indian Social Institute’ have made a remark that 40 per-cent displaced people are of tribal origins.
There have been a rising number of political and social protests against the acquisition of land by various industrialists. They have ranged from Bengal, Karnataka
to Uttar Pradesh
in the recent past. The acquisition of 997 acres of land by Tata motors in Bengal in order to set-up a factory for the cheapest car in India. Similarly, Sardar Sarovar Dam on the river Narmada which was later canceled by the World Bank.
The Land Acquisition Act of 1984 allows the government to acquire private lands. It is the only legislation pertaining to Land acquisition which, though amended several times has failed to serve its purpose.
At present, the displaced people are only liable for a monetary compensation which is still quite minimal. Many that get displaced are from the poorest sections, the majority are tribal and fail to raise their voice against the mishappenings. Another important aspect has been the ignorance of stakeholders in the share of the property. This provides benefit to many entrepreneurs and promoters of the company.
Several journalist and media-persons have commented on the lack-of-will in regard to a strong bill by the government, for a county with a large democracy this a dark blot of Land acquisition on the promising record of India
. The execution of the bill and the passing is not only the solution, it’s proper implementation with the time-regard is the most desired object to be achieved. The issue concerning displacement proves an example of how law has to be consistent with socio-economic and political turmoil’s.
. Some of the important issues have been portrayed below. The major land acquisition and conflicts happen in the densely populated areas of the countryside where the education among the masses has been fairly low.
The compensation provided to the farmers should characterized into two basic categories. A minimum amount in relation to the present market value should be paid to the person while a monthly pension should be paid from a trust where the company shares are vested. Further since the agricultural yield has a major contribution towards the agricultural laborers and sharecroppers, a part of compensation should be allocated in their favor. The state should further contribute towards some form of welfare payments.
, Tamil Nadu
, Karnataka
, Andhra Pradesh
had been an attractive place for investors, but the present day revolts have shown that land acquisition in some states pose problems. It has often been found to badly effect the Stock Market and the investment decisions in the infrastructural base for the economy.
. India
happens to be a land of multi-racial and caste structure with societies are based on them. Hence, acquiring land is important to study because such sensitive issues exist while acquiring land for construction purpose. The issue of land acquisition by corporations happens to be more concerned issue than the market and technology for the construction.
The forms of responsibility claimed by corporations have been:
Poor
Poor is an adjective related to a state of poverty, low quality or pity.People with the surname Poor:* Charles Henry Poor, a US Navy officer* Charles Lane Poor, an astronomer* Edward Erie Poor, a vice president of the National Park Bank...
or low
Low
-Music:* Low , an American indie rock group from Duluth, Minnesota* Low , 1977* Low , 1994* Low , 1994* "Low" , 2003* "Low" , 1993* "Low" , 2007...
wage earners (characterized as farmers), own land allocated for industrial construction and these farmers are not adequatly compensated. As the economy approaches the industrial stream from the agrarian with more factories and industries, the poor peasants often are made to sacrifice their land. This is consequences of an old bill, the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 where prices per-acre of land has been fairly low. Further, the political parties in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
have widely dominated the influence and control over the acquisition process in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Description
It has occurred in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
since the era of Independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
, with over 21.6 million people in the period of 1951-90. They have been displaced with heavy scale projects like dams, canals, thermal plants, sanctuaries, industries and mining. These occurrences are further being categorized as ‘development-related displacement’.
The process of Land Acquisition in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
has proved out to be poor in regard to growth of the country. The amount reimbursed is fairly low with regard to the current index of prices prevailing in the economy. Furthermore, due to the poor Human Capital of the displaced people they fail to get jobs and are a victim of several problems.
The draft of the government’s ‘National Policy for Rehabilitation’ states that a figure around 75% of the displaced people since 1951 are still awaiting rehabilitation. However, it should be noted that displacement is only being considered with regard to ‘Direct Displacement’. These rehabilitation policies do not cover fisher folk, landless laborers and artisans.
On a rough account, almost one in ten Indian tribal’s is a displaced person. Projects that comprise of dams have displaced close to a million adivasis. The stories of displaced dalits are even harsher to know. The ‘Walter Fernandes of the Indian Social Institute’ have made a remark that 40 per-cent displaced people are of tribal origins.
There have been a rising number of political and social protests against the acquisition of land by various industrialists. They have ranged from Bengal, Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
to Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
in the recent past. The acquisition of 997 acres of land by Tata motors in Bengal in order to set-up a factory for the cheapest car in India. Similarly, Sardar Sarovar Dam on the river Narmada which was later canceled by the World Bank.
The Land Acquisition Act of 1984 allows the government to acquire private lands. It is the only legislation pertaining to Land acquisition which, though amended several times has failed to serve its purpose.
At present, the displaced people are only liable for a monetary compensation which is still quite minimal. Many that get displaced are from the poorest sections, the majority are tribal and fail to raise their voice against the mishappenings. Another important aspect has been the ignorance of stakeholders in the share of the property. This provides benefit to many entrepreneurs and promoters of the company.
Several journalist and media-persons have commented on the lack-of-will in regard to a strong bill by the government, for a county with a large democracy this a dark blot of Land acquisition on the promising record of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The execution of the bill and the passing is not only the solution, it’s proper implementation with the time-regard is the most desired object to be achieved. The issue concerning displacement proves an example of how law has to be consistent with socio-economic and political turmoil’s.
| Project | State | Displaced Population | Tribal Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karjan | Gujarat | 11,600 | 100 |
| Sardar Sarovar | Gujarat | 2,00,000 | 57.6 |
| Maheshwar | Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city.... |
20,000 | 60 |
| Bodhghat | Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city.... |
12,700 | 73.91 |
| Icha | Bihar Bihar Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India.... |
30,800 | 80 |
| Chandil | Bihar Bihar Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India.... |
37,600 | 87.92 |
| Koel Karo | Bihar Bihar Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India.... |
66,000 | 88 |
| Mahi Bajaj Sajar | Rajasthan Rajasthan Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with... |
38,400 | 76.28 |
| Polavaram | Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third... |
1,50,000 | 52.90 |
| Maithon & Panchet | Bihar Bihar Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India.... |
93,874 | 56.46 |
| Upper Indravati | Orisa | 18,500 | 89.20 |
| Pong | Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India. It is spread over , and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east... |
80,000 | 56.25 |
| Ichampalli | Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third... |
38,100 | 76.28 |
| Tultuti | Maharashtra Maharashtra Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India... |
13,600 | 51.61 |
| Daman Ganga | Gujarat | 8,700 | 48.70 |
| Bhakra | Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India. It is spread over , and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east... |
36,000 | 34.76 |
| Masan Reservoir | Bihar Bihar Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India.... |
3,700 | 31 |
| Ukai Reservoir | Gujarat | 52,000 | 18.92 |
Issues
There are various issues that need to be monitored in effect to control the present day conflict pertaining to the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The Land Acquisition Act, 1894 currently a has colonial flavor, and it needs to be adjusted with the present day rural-urban social issues of IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Some of the important issues have been portrayed below. The major land acquisition and conflicts happen in the densely populated areas of the countryside where the education among the masses has been fairly low.
Legislative Changes
There requires a wide range of legislative changes, because the economic and social policies have changed since 1984. Thus the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 proves to be inadequate. There has been a emphasis on elaborating public policy in the present bill. Also, the assumption that the seller is willing to sell his land is often being regarded as inadequate. The monetary compensation being claimed by the land-owners have been fairly low, as the price-level for basic commodities have changed since 1984. There has been no provision for a compulsory Social Impact Assessment and lastly no recognition of indigenous rights.Monetary Compensation
The compensation for the acquired land is based on the value of the agricultural land, however price increases have been ignored. The land value would increase many times, which the current buyer would not share the surplus value. Secondly, if the prices are left for the market to determine, the small peasants could never influence the big corporate tycoons. It strictly creates the unfair price management leading to land acquisition in India.The compensation provided to the farmers should characterized into two basic categories. A minimum amount in relation to the present market value should be paid to the person while a monthly pension should be paid from a trust where the company shares are vested. Further since the agricultural yield has a major contribution towards the agricultural laborers and sharecroppers, a part of compensation should be allocated in their favor. The state should further contribute towards some form of welfare payments.
Delayed Projects
These delayed projects due to mass-unrest have caused a damaging effect to the growth and development of companies and the economy as a whole. Earlier states like MaharashtraMaharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
had been an attractive place for investors, but the present day revolts have shown that land acquisition in some states pose problems. It has often been found to badly effect the Stock Market and the investment decisions in the infrastructural base for the economy.
Corporate Social Responsibility
The present day infrastructural base which comprises the sub-rural and urban areas have come under the influence of big corporate tycoons. These corporations have raised the issue of social responsibility for the poor and small landowners depicting their aspect of welfare motive for them. It has often being termed today as Corporate Social ResponsibilityCorporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model...
. India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
happens to be a land of multi-racial and caste structure with societies are based on them. Hence, acquiring land is important to study because such sensitive issues exist while acquiring land for construction purpose. The issue of land acquisition by corporations happens to be more concerned issue than the market and technology for the construction.
The forms of responsibility claimed by corporations have been:
- Monetary Compensation
- Job for at least One Family member
- Share in stakes equivalent to the land price