The calculation of the compensation is done on basis of the prices in the past three years. Since agricultural land cannot be sold for housing or commercial purposes, the prices remain low. Once the Administration sells it after acquisition, it is for development of various projects. So while the land is bought at low prices, it is sold off at exorbitant rates.

UT Finance Secretary Sanjay Kumar said: “The price of land is according to the land use. When land use is changed, the price certainly goes up. Moreover, when the land is acquired only 40 per cent of it is sold off. The remaining is used to develop open spaces and infrastructure. We incur expenses on the development of the land. I have, meanwhile, had a discussion with the Deputy Commissioner as to why there is so much difference between the acquisition price and its sale later. A report is being prepared. In case there are discrepancies, we would consider an increase in compensation.”

H S Johal, president of the Manimajra Farmers’ Welfare and Environment Protection Society says the Administration is showing an undue haste in acquiring land. “There appears to be no public purpose involved in displacing so many people. The compensation is low and most of the land lies unutilised for long. The land that is being acquired was supposed to be a green belt as per the plans of Le Corbusier. The concept of the city has been tampered with,” he alleged.

Pawan Bansal, Union Minister of State for Finance, said: “Farmers in Punjab have been given up to Rs 5 crore per acre for land acquisition. Farmers here are not even given enough compensation to buy a house for themselves. While land is being acquired at low prices, the houses constructed on it are priced very high. The National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy 2007 is also not being implemented. We will make sure that the Administration agrees on the implementation of the policy. In case farmers move court and the case is settled in their favour, who will be responsible to pay them the money along with the interest.”