LAND ACQUISITION SHOULD BE SIMPLIFIED FOR RAPID INDUSTRIALIZATION

Mukesh Devrari

During the tenure of Congress, party country came to stand still. It was described as policy paralysis. There were many reasons. During its tenure, Congress decided to hear the complaints of farmers that their land is being acquired by state governments arbitrarily for the benefit of corporate groups. In West Bengal CPIM decided to acquire land from farmers for failed Tata small car project. Farmers agitated against government fiercely. 

Congress as a true left-leaning political party provided relief to farmers at the cost of long term benefits to the nation. For some, it was very encouraging to see that the mainstream political party in India is willing to take the side with the weaker sections of society. According to the detractors of the Congress party, this decision led to the complete stagnation in developmental projects. It became impossible for states to acquire land. Many of the Chief Ministers in congress govern state opposed the bill.

Land Acquisition Bill was described as an achievement by Congress Party, but it failed in delivering any electoral benefits during general elections. It is a truth that population density is very high in India. The government have no choice but to acquire land, agricultural or otherwise, for building airports, roads, ports, factories, educational institutions, hospitals, railways, metros etc.

According to the law made by the Congress party, if the government wants to acquire land, it needs the consent of 80 per cent of the population whose land it wanted to acquire. This clause closed the doors for any acquisition of land from farmers, consequently leading to policy paralysis and stagnation of projects across the country.

BJP has decided to amend it despite the possible repercussions on its political fortune. It simply tried to advance the argument that it must be left to the state whether the consent of farmers required to acquire the land or not.  This author has not read the bill like most of the parliamentarians. But still, he assumes that the process of acquiring land must not be so easy to get abused by corporate-political nexus. Interests of the farmers must be protected.

Land acquisition can be categorized into at least two different categories. First, if the land is being acquired for public projects, then the process of acquisition should be made easy. If the government wants to build a railway line or construct road or power plant or airport or port, masses must cooperate and welcome it.

If the government wants to acquire land to give it to private industrialists, then the process of acquisition should be made little difficulty. It would be wrong if the government keeps the purpose of acquiring land away from the process of acquiring it. These must be interlinked in law.

Farmers view land acquisition rather simply. They see it as a loss, which is not always true. If farmers get a job in government project and heavy compensation then they will not be at a loss. How a land acquisition should be seen must be based on why land is being acquired? If the land is being acquired for a government project, it should be done with priority.

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