UP farmers to get stake in projects

Stung by farmers’ protest over land acquisition for the ongoing Yamuna Expressway project in western Uttar Pradesh, the state government today announced a new policy for land acquisition and rehabilitation of land owners.

The policy promises sops, including equity share in the development projects, for land owners.

Land acquisition hurdles have put brakes on several ambitious projects of the state government, including the Yamuna Expressway, international airport in Kushinagar district and Lucknow Industrial Development Authority (LIDA).

The state government hopes the new policy would placate the farmers and provide them enough financial security for the future.

Under the policy, the government has made a provision of Rs 20,000 annuity per year per acre to land owners for the next 33 years. The annuity would increase by Rs 600 every year.

If a farmer does not wish to avail of the annuity facility, he can also seek a one-time compensation of Rs 2.40 lakh per acre.

“These payouts would be in addition to the compensation for the acquisition of land,” UP Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh said while addressing the media here.

If the acquisition is done by a private company, the affected farmers would also have the option of getting equity share equal to 25 per cent of the land value. “This will make the farmers partners in the development project and let them reap any appreciation in property rates,” he later told Business Standard.

If the acquisition comes under land for development, the land owners would be given 7 per cent of the land for dwelling purposes. The allotted land would measure a minimum of 120 sq mt, while the maximum limit would be decided under the relevant development authority bylaws.

If the land is used for residential projects, the land owners would be given 17.5 per cent reservation in the allotment.

On August 17, the state government had announced to give Rs 1.85 lakh to farmers’ families, rendered landless due to acquisition. This compensation corresponds to farm labour wages for five years to a family.

The cabinet secretary further said no land would be acquired at Tappal in Aligarh district for the township if farmers were against it.

Meanwhile, the government has reiterated its demand for the amendment of Land Acquisition Act, 1894, at the earliest.

A total of 1,187 villages in 6 districts — Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Mahamaya Nagar (Hathras), Mathura and Agra — had been notified under Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA).