THE “PROSPEROUS” ALTERNATIVES FOR LAND PROCUREMENT

Since last two and a half months the process of Joint Measurement Survey (JMS) was going on in 10 districts of Maharashtra, after the project of Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg was announced. Now, when this survey is at its final stage, the process of land procurement will gain some momentum before the actual work starts. In this process of Land Procurement, the landowner was presented with two options. Both these options were very well thought of considering a common land owner. The administration used to acquire land for any kind of development project under the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, without any kind of consent. But now in this project, the administration is being flexible with its stand by considering sentiments of the public in the process of procuring land. What are these new options? This is a review of the system of Land Procurement which moves ahead of the unjust and oppressive system of land acquisition.

Since last two and a half months the process of Joint Measurement Survey (JMS) was going on in 10 districts of Maharashtra, after the project of Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg was announced. Now, when this survey is at its final stage, the process of land procurement will gain some momentum before the actual work starts. In this process of Land Procurement, the landowner was presented with two options. Both these options were very well thought of considering a common land owner. The administration used to acquire land for any kind of development project under the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, without any kind of consent. But now in this project, the administration is being flexible with its stand by considering sentiments of the public in the process of procuring land. What are these new options? This is a review of the system of Land Procurement which moves ahead of the unjust and oppressive system of land acquisition.The administration used to acquire land parcels for any kind of development project under the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, without any kind of consent. It is very different this time. For this project the administration has tried to consider the sentiments of the people and to keep their systems more transparent. It is the first time that the administration is giving the citizens an opportunity to choose from not just one, but two options for land procurement. They will be free to choose one of those options with which they are most comfortable.

If the land owner chooses the option of Land Pooling and is ready to invest his land in this project, then the land owner is set to get a non- agricultural land in the nearby Krishi Samruddhi Kendra. With this he is also set to get a compensation for next 10 years which will be increased at a reasonable interest every year. Looking into the future, the land owner can chose this option and secure his prosperity.Those land owners who want to secure their present, can opt for the Direct Purchase Scheme. In this scheme the administration will provide a 5 times worth the land price to the interested land owner who cooperates and agrees to give his land for this project. The landowner will get the price for his land immediately.

Now, as per ones need or the present situation, the land owners can choose one of these options and become apart of this grand project which is set to make Maharashtra more prosperous. The administration will not take possession of landfrom the land owners without their consent.The administration will not even touch their land with a barge pole unless the land owners give their consent. Instead, the administration is taking efforts to get cooperation from the landowners and include them in this process of development. Therefore, there is no need to doubt the intentions of the government or to imagine that the administration and the government will take away the land without providing for the landowner.