Disputes over land..Farmers’ consent desirable

Land deals are running into trouble not only in Uttar Pradesh but also in Haryana and Punjab, where the supposedly farmer-friendly governments are taking a hard line on land acquisition. The Mayawati government had used the emergency clause to take over farmers’ land originally for industry but handed it over to builders. The Supreme Court recently scrapped some of these deals, helping farmers but hurting home buyers, who too are crying for a fair deal. More such cases from Greater Noida are pending with the Supreme Court. Encouraged by favourable court rulings, farmers are challenging deals in which they feel they have been short-changed. Land prices shoot up once housing or commercial projects are announced and farmers feel cheated.

Punjab too is in the thick of farmer unrest. The government used excessive force on Saturday to acquire 880 acres in Mansa district for a thermal power plant to be built by a private company. Some 400 farmers were arrested. The administration claims more than 90 per cent of the land-owners had taken the agreed price. But rehabilitation terms are being reworked everywhere and relief is also considered for farm workers. In Haryana the government decision to take over farmers’ land for setting up a nuclear plant at Gorkhpur is being contested by the affected farmers. Here, the price of land or quantum of compensation is not as much in dispute as the very location of a nuclear power project, which villagers feel could be detrimental to their well-being.
Ideally, before launching a project, villagers’ consent should be taken, especially if the merits or benefits of the project are disputed in addition to a reasonable rehabilitation package. The government is legally empowered to forcibly take over land for a public purpose. But it is under pressure from courts and the public to make terms of the deal fair and just. The draft of the new Central Bill on land acquisition reflects this sentiment and limits government intervention to 20 per cent, which means 80 per cent of the land-owners must agree to willingly part with their landholding. Governments should also exercise restraint and tact in dealing with emotive land issues, which could flare up if mishandled.