Authority forced to change tack after Agitation

Back-to-back quashing of land acquisition notifications by court and more and more farmers seeking similar relief have made the authority change its track.

Back-to-back quashing of land acquisition notifications by court and more and more farmers seeking similar relief have made the authority change its track.

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“In the last two years, section 5 (hearing objections) of the Land Acquisition Act was never invoked and section 15 (emergency clause) remained in force. This effectively meant the Authority could acquire land even though the owners objected to acquisition,” said a farmer leader.

Now the authority will do so only in case of projects for public good such as roads, etc.

“The state initiates the process of acquisition through section 4 under which details have to be notified in the media. Under section 5, objections are invited and heard,” said a senior authority official.

“After smooth acquisition of land, section 9 is enforced, meaning the state can take physical possession. Compensation is deposited with the state treasury if a farmer does not come forward to take the amount," the official added.

The authority allots the acquired land to developers on installments running from 10 to 29 years.

The Allahabad High Court, which struck down two acquisitions of land by the Greater Noida authority, did so for not giving the farmers an opportunity to file their protest.

The court observed that the entire process of acquiring land was illegal.