Draft Land Acquisition Law Amendments to CM This Week
A proposed amendment to the land acquisition law, focusing on mutual consent and land banking, will be presented to the Chief Minister.
The draft includes provisions for mutual consent and a land bank.
Minister Ashish Jaiswal emphasizes the need for these amendments to boost growth.
Concerns raised about land acquisition processes hindering industrial development.
In Nagpur, a draft amendment to the land acquisition law is set to be submitted to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis this week. This amendment aims to establish a mutual consent framework that will later be opened for public suggestions. The initial section of the draft, known as Section 23A, has already been forwarded to Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule for review.
The proposed changes include the creation of a land bank, which would allow the government to purchase land from willing sellers throughout Maharashtra and subsequently transfer it to industries, as current laws restrict acquisition solely for public purposes. Minister of State for Relief and Rehabilitation Ashish Jaiswal confirmed that both proposed routes have received clearance from the law and judiciary department.
Jaiswal highlighted that the third component of the amendment is based on Section 107, which permits landowners to accept a more favorable offer from the state. This could involve a tripartite lease agreement among the government, farmers, and industrialists. He reiterated that these amendments are still proposals and await the Chief Minister's decision, but he believes they represent a significant opportunity for economic growth and job creation.
During a recent event with industry representatives in Nagpur, Jaiswal noted that the land acquisition process is a major hurdle for industrialists. He mentioned that under mutual consent agreements, the government cannot force landowners to accept five times the land's value. An industry representative raised concerns about the lack of available land for small units needing two to five acres, suggesting the establishment of a separate Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Regarding stalled acquisitions in Nagpur district and Gadchiroli, Jaiswal, who also serves as the co-guardian minister for Gadchiroli, stated that he has put these acquisitions on hold. A government resolution issued on August 4 provides project-affected individuals with job reservations and status for those who sell their land to the government.