Maya’s new land policy: Pvt firms to buy directly

Mayawati said the new policy had been framed to safeguard the interests of farmers and to bring transparency in the land acquisition process. “This policy is better than the one being implemented in Congress-ruled states like Haryana,” she said,adding that the BSP would ask the Centre to adopt it at the national level.

Since the new policy will not be implemented with retrospective effect,it will not benefit the farmers of places like Bhatta Parsaul,Yamuna Expressway,and Bara and Karchana in Allahabad district,where land has either been acquired or is in the process of being acquired under the existing policy.

Giving details,Mayawati said that for acquisition of land by private companies,the district magistrate will only issue a notification under Section (4) of the Land Acquisition Act for identifying the land. The developer will have to purchase the land by holding direct negotiations with the farmers. Land can only be acquired if owners of a minimum of 70 per cent land give their consent,failing which the government will reconsider the acquisition. The district magistrate will undertake further action for land acquisition under Section 6 of the Act for the remaining 30 per cent of the land.

For public purposes also,land will be acquired only with the consent of the farmers,who will be entitled to benefits of the resettlement and rehabilitation policy.

Farmers whose land is acquired by a private company will have the option of getting 16 per cent of the developed land or taking cash compensation. The developed land will be given to them free of cost with exemption from stamp duty. Farmers will also be exempted from stamp duty if they purchase agricultural land within one year of getting the compensation.

In the affected villages,the developer will have to construct a kisan bhawan as well as a model school.

Under the revised rehabilitation policy,Mayawati announced an increase in the rate of annuity from Rs 20,000 per acre to Rs 23,000 per acre for 33 years. The annual hike has been increased from Rs 600 to Rs 800 per acre. The annuity will be paid in July every year.

Besides the compensation and benefits available under the R&R policy,farmers whose entire land is acquired will be given a one-time payment equivalent to wages of five years of agriculture labour. Similarly,farmers who are reduced to marginal status after acquisition will get payment equivalent to wages of 500 days. Those reduced to the status of small farmer will get payment equal to wages of 375 days.

Landless agriculture labourers affected by the acquisition will be given a one-time assistance equal to wages of 625 days. Besides,each family affected by the land acquisition will be given additional assistance equal to wages of 250 days.