LAND ACQUISITION/SEZ & DISPLACEMENT – 2012 (January to December 2012)

Compiled By Human Rights Documentation∗

Indian Social Institute, Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110 003, (India)

Hooda admits SEZs unsuccessful in Haryana (4) CHANDIGARH: Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Saturday admitted that special economic zones (SEZs) have not proved successful in the state. "Ye thik hai SEZ kamyab nahi huye, akele Haryana me hi nahi, pure desh me nahi huye. Puri duniya me mandi aa gayi, is karan se SEZ kamyab nahi huye (It is true that SEZs have not succeeded, not only in the state but in the entire country. There was economic slowdown in the entire world, so SEZs could not succeed)," said Hooda. It was probably the first time when the chief minister admitted this in response to a query about the fate of SEZs and the promise of job opportunities. Sources said that the concept of SEZ has failed to provide jobs as estimated by the state government. Two years back in a press conference held by state principal secretary (industries) YS Malik, it was stated that the state has received over 100 proposals for setting up SEZs in Haryana, out of which about 70 were for setting up IT/ITES SEZs. "These SEZs were estimated to catalyze an investment of about Rs. 50,000 crore, besides providing employment to about 15 lakh persons," read a press statement sent by the government about Malik's press conference held at Delhi on November 19, 2009. On Saturday, Malik expressed inability to reveal any figures in this regard, saying it was a holiday on Saturday. Industry sources however said that SEZs have provided jobs to just a few hundred persons, which is negligible in comparison to earlier estimates. Just seven SEZ projects, related to IT sector, have become operational, spread over 300 acres of land in the state, while around 10,000 acres of land has been acquired or purchased for different projects. This includes around 7,000 acres of land purchased by Reliance. "The very purpose of SEZs has been defeated as industries have not come as projected by the government," said Anil Vij, leader of BJP legislative group in the state assembly. Main opposition party INLD has been demanding a high level inquiry into all SEZ deals, terming it as a "scam".A senior officer however said that the idea failed due to various reasons, including imposition of minimum alternative tax by the Central government in the 2010-11 budget. (Times of India 1/1/12)

'Land acquisition for airport only after clearance' (4) Jamshedpur: Tata Steel Managing Director H M Nerurkar today said the company will start land acquisition process in connection with the proposed airport near the steel city here after getting clearance from Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). "We will start land acquisition process once we get clearance from DGCA, which is expected soon," Nerurkar said at a cake-cutting ceremony organized by Tata Steel to mark the New Year here. He said the private steel major had a proposal to set up an airport in the vicinity of the city and required 500 acres of land for the purpose. Nerurkar said Tata Steel will invest around Rs 450 crore to set up the airport. About the ongoing expansion of the Jamshedpur plant here, Nerurkar said the major challenges before the company was to develop infrastructure following the completion of the ongoing expansion when Tata Steel will become 9.6 million tonne capacity plant in next few months. Appealing people in and around to co-operate in improving the infrastructure, he said the company has proposal to develop fly-overs, road corridors to ease the prevailing traffic congestion one by one from next couple of months. In fact, the Tata Steel Board of Directors have already approved the infrastructure development proposal, currently waiting state government's approval, worth over Rs.1300 crores. (The Financial Express 1/1/12)

Displaced and Lost: Victims of Land Acquisition (4) By Aloka, Ranchi, Jan 4: Displacement, a major problem in Central Asia, has, over the "developing" years, spread its roots intensely in Indian sub-continent. It has been 64 long years that its central regions are bearing the brunt of land acquisition for development. History of the "Land of Forest" Jharkhand is no different rather more difficult. Post Independence, several thousand people from hundreds of villages in Jharkhand were forced to leave their villages, half of which are represented by women. Like a thread,

∗ This is a collection of previously published news and views from the print as well as the electronic media, whose reference marked at the end of each news items. Department of Documentation and Library (DDL) of the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi neither claims to the veracity of the facts in the news nor subscribes to the views expressed.

when powerfully pulled out of a fabric tears it apart, these displaced women who were forced to move from one place to another, were torn apart from their families, culture and above all their identity. Be it Government or non- Government organizations, no one has concrete data regarding these displaced women and no one actually is bothered to identify and rehabilitate them. However in the recent past, initiatives of few strong women Dayamani Barla, Munni Hansda and Pushpa Aaind, has raised a voice against the tragedy. Barla set a commotion against Mittal and Jindal in Torpa village of Khunti Block. Her agitation forced the culprits to leave the land of hundreds of villagers. Similarly, in Santhal Parangna of Dumka district, Munni Hansda carried out anti- displacement demonstration that led her to jail. In Karkara division of Khunti block, Pushpa Aaind saved her indigenous land from Mittal by creating upheaval against the displacement. HEC, Bokaro Thermal, Tenughat Dam, Maithan Dam, Kutku Dam, Netarhat Field Firing Range, Koylakaron Hydroelectric Project, Tata Steel, Chandil Dam are the big names which have been the reason behind the displacement of most of the people in Jharkhand that continues to happen till date, latest example being the displaced communities of Islam Nagar and Nagababa Khatal in Ranchi. Displacement, altogether, is a very cruel process. Over the night, the inhabitants are displaced, houses are run over by bulldozers and the acres of villages are destroyed in a flash. From kids to elders to women, no one is spared. Widows, the silent inhabitants, are worse affected as no one is there to fight for their right and no one bothers to compensate for their land. More or less, the situation is similar in almost every village of the state that has been dislodged. According to the statistics available, 1981-1985 was the period when various coalmines in the state displaced approx 180000 people, out of which only 11901 people were given the job. Out of the total displaced families, one family member of only 36.34 percent families got the promised job. There are ample examples to suggest that the excuse of "Development of the country" given for advent of industrialization and mines in the state in reality is linked to the "Development" of big industrialists, selected bureaucrats and contractors and a few big businessmen only. 15 lakh out of 72-90 lakh displaced belong to tribal community. Only 25 percent of the entire unfortunate displaced population was provided with some kind of shelter. The people displaced by HEC - Ranchi''s first industrial unit post liberation, have not been rehabilitated so far. Both state and central government have turned a deaf ear to their cries. Out of 36 villages displaced, 13 were completely destroyed while rest were partially shuffled. In the rehabilitation process, women were left out completely. Not even a single woman was offered job. The promises given by government before acquiring the land were all crushed. As a result, the helpless relocated families have to live on 10-15 decimal land, which for them is, of course, a cursed life. They have converted the verandas and gardens into graveyard, as they have to live and die on the same small piece of land. Due to this, the social activities and cultural-economical existence of Adivasis is dying. People are forced and bound to forget their language, culture, traditions and customs. The people of Bokaro have to suffer a lot due to this huge displacement crisis. Bokaro Steel factory engulfed the land of 65 villages while dozens of other villages were moved because of BTPS, CTPS electricity production centers. In pretext of development Tenughat Dam marred the lives of people of 35 villages. Gunpowder factory in Gomiya also destroyed several villages. Now due to the release of Methane gas from the industrial areas has put the future of many villages in danger. The then Bihar government acquired 31435 acres of land and gave it to Bokaro Steel Plant. Many thousands acres of such land was acquired for rehabilitation. In this spree of land acquisition, lands of small farmers were taken, which was their only asset in life. Houses were destroyed and as compensation a very meager amount was given to them. For every decimal, 25 Paise-25 Rupees was given as compensation and even this small amount failed to reach the right hands especially women. Today, no one knows where these women are. Jharkhand is the main producer of minerals. In 1973, during nationalization of mines, 80 percent coal production used to be conducted in underground mines. Later, open mines became popular. During 1991-92, 82.8 percent of CCL mines were open cast, which was increased in 1994-95 to 86.7 percent. According to experts, agricultural land is sacrificed for open cast mines. Electricity is the most important component for industrial development. Fortunately or unfortunately, Jharkhand due to its rich natural resources, offer coal and other components, required for major electricity production purposes. After 1974, post the inauguration of Damodar Valley Project, hydro-electricity was produced from Tilaiya Dam, Maithan Dam, Panchet Dam, Suwarnarekha Multi-purpose Dam, Mayurakshi Dam etc. Later with coal being used as raw material to produce electricity, Chandrapur Thermal Power, Bokaro Thermal Power, Tenughat Thermal Power, Patratu Thermal Power etc. were developed. This was the zenith for displacement and miseries of the locals. They got displaced from their land and outsiders got employment over it. Kashinath Kevat tells us, "This is the year of displaced as Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Bill has to be tabled in the Parliament. We can''t reject this bill that despite of faults includes good points as

well. We formed a forum ''Insaaf'' and presented our views on the draft to Prime Minister through a letter. We urged the PM that this law should be applied to all 100-acre land acquisition in rural areas and 50-acre land acquisition in urban areas. Secondly, the Bill''s draft makes consent of at least 80 per cent landowners mandatory if acquisition is for private projects. We welcome this recommendation and suggest that the agreement of this 80 percent should be transparent and half of this 80 percent must be women." The Charkha Development Communication network feels that the proposed Bill, which is controversial, hopes to provide a solution to problems of displaced -a solution that will allow the future generation to live peacefully on their land. As for the past, nothing on this earth can compensate for the troubles caused (ANI) (New Kerala 4/1/12)

Road-widening is not an emergency need, says Court (4) Bangalore, January 11, 2012 : Can the State Government acquire land at a short notice under the “emergency clause” for widening a road where traffic congestion is high? No, says the Karnataka High Court. In a recent judgment, the court said that the Government cannot use Section 17 of the Land Acquisition Act (which grants special power to acquire land for emergency reasons) for widening such a road. “Traffic congestion on a particular road does not take place overnight. It is created over months and years. There could be an imperative requirement to widen the road. But it does not fit into the category of extremely pressing or urgent public purpose or need,” held Justice Ashok B. Hinchigeri while disposing of petitions that questioned the acquisition of properties on either side of Bangalore-Honnavar Road in Tiptur town. The special power under Section 17 of the Act allows the authorities to take possession of the required land in just 15 days after issuing notification. Besides, it enables the authorities to do away with the procedure of hearing objections of the land-loser before acquiring and taking possession of the land. In the usual course, the acquisition process takes about two years as the award is mandatorily required to be passed within two years from the date of issuance of preliminary notification for acquisition. However, the court said that the authorities cannot do away with the procedure of hearing affected landowners by invoking Section 17 for road-widening, and observed that “the important and valuable property rights of a person cannot be steam-rolled on the ipse dixit (unsupported statement) of the executive authority. Widening of road is certainly a public purpose for which the land has to be compulsorily acquired but not by invoking the emergency clause under special power.” (The Hindu 11/1/12)

Land acquisition policy against Adivasis, says Medh a (4) KHAMMAM, January 12, 2012: Noted social activist Medha Patkar has alleged that indiscriminate acquisition of farm and forest lands by the governments in the name of development without the approval of the ‘gram sabhas' concerned amounted to snatching the livelihood of weaker sections, mainly Adivasis. Ms. Medha Patkar, leader of the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), arrived in the temple town of Bhadrachalam in the early hours of Wednesday as part of Lokshakti Abhiyan Yatra. A host of social and environmental activists accompanied her. She participated in a meeting organised by the Agricultural Social Development Society and interacted with the members of various organisations, including the Human Rights Forum, over issues relating to the oustees of the Indirasagar (Polavaram) project. Ms. Patkar maintained that the consent of the gram sabhas was mandatory for acquiring land in the scheduled areas for any development project as per the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA). Suppression of the rights of gram sabhas would amount to not only violation of the Act but also human rights, she said. Referring to the large-scale displacement of Adivasis and farmers besides, huge expenditure and cost to the natural eco-system involved in the execution of the Polavaram project, she said Adivasis, who are dependent on natural resources, cannot be compensated with cash-based solutions. She underscored the need for a frank dialogue between the two regions involving Adivasis, Dalits, farmers, and fishermen to avoid irreparable loss to the Adivasis in the areas affected by the project, while ensuring that the water requirements of their counterparts in K-G basin are also fulfilled. Later, she visited the Open Cast Project-II at Manuguru. The land oustees of the coal belt poured out their woes to her. Addressing a large gathering in the coal town, she deplored the government for acquiring the lands of farmers for big companies to serve the needs of affluent people. “The farmers are being denied access to the natural resources underneath their lands while the big corporates are being allowed to extract mineral wealth as well as to drill oil and natural gas from greater depths of land and sea surfaces, she said. The companies, including the SCCL, should be brought under the purview of the Lokpal, she

said and called upon the farmers not to surrender even an inch of their land until their livelihood concerns were addressed. (The Hindu 12/1/12)

Bengal govt is against SEZ, says Partha Chatterjee (4) KOLKATA: An inter-ministerial board of approval (BoA) statement said: "Videocon Realty & Infrastructure Limited was granted formal approval for setting up of a sector specific SEZ for IT/ITeS at Dabgram, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, over an area of 10 hectares, vide LoA dated 19th May, 2009. The SEZ is yet to be notified." It further said: "The request of the developer for withdrawal of formal approval is placed before the BoA for consideration." The BoA, chaired by Union commerce secretary Rahul Khullar, will consider this request on January 24. Bengal IT minister Partha Chatterjee said: "We are against SEZ in principle. But the government is in talks with Videocon for IT hubs in the state and we are optimistic about those projects." Swarup Roy, head of the state IT promotion cell, told TOI: "In general, de-notification and re-notification are usual phenomenon. If a project is under the SEZ banner, the scope of the developer to rent out space to anybody narrows. The developer has to remain focused on companies with good exposure in exports. But if it is outside the purview of the SEZ, the developer can rent it out to anybody." Consumer electronics major Videocon is also setting up an IT Park in Salt Lake for an investment of Rs 750 crore. This announcement comes just after the six-day Bengal Leads 2012 organized by the state government to attract more investment to the state. (Times of India 18/1/12)

Reliance SEZ on way out, Haryana govt wants its 1,3 84 acres back (4) Chandigarh: The Reliance India Limited (RIL) Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Gurgaon is on its way to being shelved. Sources say RIL is expected to return the 1,383.68 acres it got from the government back to the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (HSIIDC). The decision comes after RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani met Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in New Delhi this evening. “Since the setting up of the project has been delayed by about six years, we asked RIL to return us our land. They have laid down some conditions but I am hopeful we will be able to get our land back. We will develop this land on our own terms and in accordance with the state’s best interests,” Hooda told The Indian Express. “SEZs have failed across the world and it is no wonder that it has happened here as well.” This SEZ was to be set up through a special purpose vehicle — Reliance Haryana SEZ Ltd — created after a collaboration between Reliance Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of RIL, and HSIIDC. RIL had 90 per cent stake in the project while HSIIDC holds 10 per cent sweat equity in the project. RIL inked the pact with HSIIDC on June 19, 2006. Last year, RIL sought an extension of the in-principle approval by the commerce ministry till March 2015 but was given a year that ends March 31. Showcased as a key achievement of the Congress government in the state, the RIL SEZ in Gurgaon, along with its sister project in Jhajjar, was to bring in an investment of around Rs 25000 crore through RIL and another Rs 15000 crore through companies which were to populate the SEZ. Hooda had, on the day of the signing, claimed that the project would create jobs for 5 lakh persons and that the state would earn Rs 10000 crore from the projects. Officials said the Model Economic Township (MET) at Jhajjar being set by the RIL in collaboration with Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd would go on as planned. The RIL is said to have paid Rs 400 crore for the land. If the land is returned, the HSIIDC will have to pay back RIL this amount along with the annuity that RIL paid to the farmers whose land was acquired by HSIIDC for the project. In 2006, when the project was conceived, RIL planned to set up a 25000-acre SEZ stretching between Jhajjar and Gurgaon off the Delhi-Jaipur Highway. Later, the company decided to create two SEZs of 12500 acres each in Gurgaon and Jhajjar. Later it was decided that instead of an SEZ in Jhajjar, RHSL would set up an MET on the lines of an industrial model township (IMT). The RIL is said to have bought over 7000 acres of land in Jhajjar for the project. For the Gurgaon SEZ, RIL is said to have bought 1200 acres of land other than the land given to it by HSIIDC. The company, it is stated, was trying to sort out the problem of contiguity of land for the project. (The Financial Express 18/1/12)

Jharkhand tribals agitate against forceful land acq uisition (4) Ranchi, Jan 19 : Tribals in held are agitating against the forceful acquisition of 227 acres of land by the state authorities for a proposed law college. Hundreds gathered in Ranchi on Wednesday and shouted slogans and burnt an effigy of Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda. Interacting with mediapersons, the protesters said the land had been acquired illegally by the state authorities, and without the consent of the farmers who own the land. "The state government had forcefully acquired our land few days back. They have acquired approximately 227 acres of tribal land with the help of the police in the area. The state

government says that it has legally acquired the land and will use it to build a law college, these claims are not true," said Prabhakar Tirkey, an activist. Veteran tribal rights activist, Dayamani Barla condemned Munda for failing to understand tribals sentiments. "The state government under the governance of Arjun Munda has done injustice with tribals by forcefully acquiring their lands. The government is using police force to pressurize tribals and forcefully acquiring their farmlands. We condemn the state government and its activities in the state," said Barla. According to an Annual Report of the Ministry of Rural Development of the Government of India, Jharkhand topped the list of Adivasi land alienation in India in 2004-05, with 86,291 cases involving 10,48,93 acres of land. (ANI) (New Kerala 19/1/12)

Pvt firm to get 96 acres for Baruipur township (4) KOLKATA: The Mamata Banerjee government is all set to hand over 96 acres at Baruipur to NRI businessman Prasoon Mukherjee, making his company the first private enterprise to own land at the new South 24-Parganas headquarters. The new government, which scrapped the Left Front's proposal of setting up a chemical hub at Nayachar and subsequently accepted a fresh investment proposal by the same group headed by Mukherjee, has just passed the order to pave the way for selling to sell the nearly 100 acres land for Rs 8 crore. The rate (approximately Rs 8 lakh an acre) was fixed by the erstwhile Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government in 2006. In tune with development plans for the upcoming Baruipur township, the 96 acres will be used for real estate. in tune with development plans for the upcoming Baruipur township. This is the second big project bagged by Mukherjee within eight months of the Trinamool Congress government coming to power. The same party had opposed Mukherjee's chemical hub project at Nandigram that led to severe bloodshed and had to be scrapped by former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. The project site, Nandigram, was later replaced with Nayachar. But this too had to be cancelled, faced with opposition even within the Left Front. In November last year, nearly six months after the Mamata government scrapped the chemical hub project at Nayachar, Mukherjee's Universal Success Limited signed a fresh agreement to develop an industrial park, an eco-friendly tourism project, a power plant and fisheries as well as houses for fishermen at Nayachar. Sources said he was given 12,000 acres at Nayachar for Rs 25,000 per acre. And now, the government is all set to sign another agreement with Mukherjee's company to allow him set up a township. The nuances of the sale agreement are in keeping with what the Left Front had conceived in 2006. For instance, the former government, which had acquired 500 acres at Baruipur for the new South 24-Parganas district headquarters, had given away 100-odd acres to WBIDC so that it could be sold to Mukherjee's company. WBIDC will shortly hand over the land to Mukherjee. Basudeb Banerjee, secretary, commerce and industries department, said he didn't know the nitty gritty of the deal. "I have just taken charge. All I know is that a township will be developed at Baruipur by his (Mukherjee's) company." There is a catch: The deal was an integral part of the PCPIR deal, which stands scrapped. The former Left Front government, too, had shied away from pushing the agreement. The cost of an acre - as given to Mukherjee - boils down to around Rs 8 lakh an acre even as price of an acre of land at Baruipur has now spiralled to Rs 45 lakh. Mukherjee had turned unlucky when Mamata, as the opposition leader, had vehemently agitated against setting up the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Regions (PCPIR) at Nandigram. He was the anchor investor of the project, but the Union department of petrochemicals and high-powered committee of (17) ministries had questioned the Left Front government's decision to make him so without inviting bids. The erstwhile government had then argued with the Centre that Mukherjee, then a partner of the Indonesian Salim Group, had invested in several township projects in the state. Simultaneously, it had granted 100 acres at Baruipur, another 108 acres at Kona Expressway (for a logistic hub that is yet to take off), 100-plus acres at Siliguri and another 100 acres at Haldia. (Times of India 19/1/12)

Acquisition of land nears end, canal network to tak e three more years (4) Gandhinagar: The BJP government may have failed to fulfill its promise of completing the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam project by 2010, but it has successfully achieved the challenging target of acquiring 17,464 hectors of private land for the canal network in the last two years. According to the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL), this is 96% of the actual target of 18,123 hectors. SSNNL managing director S Jagdeesan told The Indian Express, “We have completed more than 96% private land acquisition, which was a major hurdle in the completion of the canal network. The remaining land will be acquired very soon. All these land have been acquired through consent orders. Compensation to the tune of Rs 529 crore has been paid to the farmers so far.” He further said that in the last two years, a fresh

irrigation command area over 42,892 hectors has been developed. “At present, the total command area is 5.36 lakh hectors. Our planning is to increase it to 17.92 lakh hectors by 2014,” he said. On the progress of canal construction projects, Jagdeesan said that works worth Rs 4,942 crore are underway while process is on to invite tenders for projects worth Rs 989 crore. “The entire canal network is expected to be ready by the end of 2014,” he added. In September last year, the government had informed the state Assembly that a huge part of the canal network was yet to be constructed. Water Resource Minister Nitin Patel had informed the House that work on 649.46 km branch canal, 3,300.44 km minor canals, 13,128.50 km sub-minor canals and 37,910.84 km filled channel work was pending. (Indian Express 21/1/12)

HC flays reconveyance of lands acquired by govt (4) CHENNAI: The Madras high court has highlighted the illegalities involved in buying land already acquired by government for public projects and then approaching the authorities for the land to be reconveyed. The court was dealing with petitions linked to deals where the buyer had approached the government saying he had bought the land before the authorities had taken actual possession of it and hence wanted the property titles to be reconveyed to him. The first bench of Chief Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice T S Sivagnanam, dismissing appeals of one R Narendiran and three others, said: "We have come across several cases where after the government had acquired land under the Land Acquisition Act and passed off the award or the acquisition having been affirmed by the court, the land holders sell their properties and the purchasers, on the basis of that sale, move the government or court for disposal of the representation submitted by them regarding reconveyance of the lands." The land originally belonged to M/s New Horizon Sugar Mills and it was acquired by the government in 1994. However, the legality of the acquisition proceedings was challenged by the company. After a single judge dismissed their petitions, they filed the present appeals and despite the appeal pending in court, the company sold the land. The buyers, in turn, after getting the sale deed registered in their favour, filed a writ petition to direct government, to consider and dispose of their representation. Dismissing the appeals, the first bench said: "We fully deprecate such type of writ petitions seeking direction to the government to consider the representation. At the same time, we also deprecate the conduct of the government in entertaining such type of representations and passing orders for reconveyance, when the acquisition proceedings had already attained finality. (Times of India 23/1/12)

Court: buyer of land notified for acquisition doesn 't acquire title (4) CHENNAI, January 26, 2012: A person who purchases land from another person after a notification under section 4 (1) of the Land Acquisition Act has been issued does not acquire title to the property. Such a sale is void and the purchaser acquires no right, title or interest in the land and, therefore, cannot challenge the validity of the notification or the regularity in taking possession of the land, the Madras High Court has held. The First Bench of Chief Justice M.Y. Eqbal and Justice T.S. Sivagnanam was allowing appeals by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) against a single Judge's order setting aside a notification under section 4 (1) of the Act by which the board took over the lands of petitioners for the Tambaram Neighbourhood Housing Scheme initiated in 1978. The petitioners had prayed before the single Judge to declare the section 4 (1) notification in respect of their lands as lapsed and abated and, consequently, forbear authorities from interfering with the enjoyment of their property. In its judgment, the Bench observed that the petitioners had purchased the lands from the erstwhile owners in 2004-05. The fact that the purchases were effected after the award was passed had not been controverted. The court pulled up the petitioners and Special Tahsildar K. Muthu, who issued the notification in their favour. Even though it was subsequently cancelled, the petitioners had taken a copy of it and obtained planning permission for buildings. This was a clear case of fraud for which action should be initiated against all concerned. Even before the notification issued by the Special Tahsildar, the possession of the lands had been taken over by the housing board. Thus it was evident that the petitioners had not only ‘managed' to obtain certain orders/proceedings from the department, but also misused the jurisdiction of the High Court to achieve their sinister design. At no stretch of imagination, such an action would be permitted by the court. The Bench allowed the appeals. It set aside the single Judge's order. Bench allows appeals by Tamil Nadu Housing Board against single Judge's order “Petitioners ‘managed' to obtain orders and misused jurisdiction of court” (The Hindu 26/1/12)

Jairam proposes big role for gram sabhas in tribal land acquisition (4)

NEW DELHI, January 28, 2012: The Union government proposes to take yet another shot at the crucial land reforms agenda in a bid to help the rural poor affected by a host of land issues and inflation. Having introduced the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill in Parliament, Minister of Rural Development Jairam Ramesh, who also holds the Department of Land Resources, aims to address other aspects relating to land and reform the sector. He has posted an agenda for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's perusal with a request to convene the National Council of Land Reforms under him to speed up the process of reforms that entails amendments to at least two legislations. The Land Acquisition Bill is now under a parliamentary standing committee's evaluation and the panel's report is expected before the expiry of its extended deadline of March 12. The Bill is likely to be taken up for passage, if not during the budget session, then latest by the monsoon session. In Mr. Ramesh's latest proposal, the States, which have a crucial role to play in matters of land, are required to have all issues related to tribal land to be decided at gram sabhas. This will make land acquisition in forest areas and tribal habitations more difficult for private players. The gram sabhas should be consulted be it for sale or lease of tribal land, for restoration of alienated tribal land and for maintaining land records. To end alienation of tribals that had led to spread of Naxalism among them and bring them into the mainstream, the other proposals include withdrawal of cases relating to encroachment and minor forest offences. The tribals will also benefit from the Centre's proposed move to launch a scheme for homestead rights to provide land for each homeless rural poor. Apart from arranging for reconciliation of forest and revenue land records, Mr. Ramesh intends to set up land tribunals or fast track courts for expeditious disposal of appeal cases. The Centre intends to conduct surveys for a better understanding of the status of Bhoodan Land, common property resources in villages and settlement operations in tribal sub-plan areas. To monitor evasion of ceiling laws through fraudulent land transaction, the government has proposes amendment to the Benami Transactions (Prohibitions of the Right to Recover Property) Act, 1989 and to put a ban on exemptions on diversion of land in Scheduled areas and also on transfers of common property and agricultural land for SEZ purposes proposed to amend the SEZ Act, 2005. (The Hindu 28/1/12) Bokaro DC asked to file report on cos' land deals ( 4) BOKARO: Witnessing rise in displacement and land acquisition issues related to industries in Bokaro district, chairman of subordinate legislation committee Saurabh Narayan Singh on Tuesday directed DC Sunil Kumar to submit a report providing land details and agreement between steel and coal companies for acquiring land here. He asked Kumar to provide documents of land agreement of Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) within 15 days and to submit details of the land belonging to SC & ST and OBC category people acquired by Electrosteel Steel Ltd (ESL) and other companies. Singh along with committee members, including MLAs - Madavlal Singh & Paulus Surin - and deputy secretary Dhaneswar Ram discussed various issues in a meeting with DDC Baldev Raj and other district administrative officials at Circuit House on Tuesday. Singh said the committee members in a review have found that implementation of rules in many fields have not been done sincerely. They discussed as many as 31 issues in the meeting and found the displacement problem with BSL to be a major one which needed proper attention. "I have asked Kumar to submit a copy of BSL land agreement and documents of judgments on land-related cases along with figures of the displaced persons provided job by the company within 15 days. We have come to know that BSL has not provided jobs and compensation to many displaced persons as promised," said Singh. The committee has also sought report on the status of Garga Dam owned by BSL. Apart from BSL, they have also sought report from the DC about the land belonging to SC, ST and OBC acquired by ESL and other steel and power companies like Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd which are in process of acquiring land for setting up their projects. The committee has also asked the DC to submit a report providing details of 'Gair Majurwa' land acquired by Central Coalfield Ltd (CCL) and Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) and compensation received by the state government against it and whether coal companies are providing surface rent to the government or not. Acting on complaint of overloading against Bokaro Jaypee Cement Ltd (BOJCL) which is damaging roads at Balidih area, the committee has ordered district transport officer Vijay Kumar Gupta to check the menace and slap fine on it. "I have asked the DTO to inquire into the stock entry of Jaypee to assess overloading and take necessary action," said Singh. (Times of India 1/2/12) Give us your land and keep it too, says Chandy (4) Kochi: The Oommen Chandy government is set to devise a three-pronged approach to overcome a major roadblock for infrastructure projects in Kerala - land acquisition. The government's new formula hinges on compensating land owners through development rights, finding ways to ease up land availability without dispossessing people of ownership, or by paying them for plots at market-determined rates. In an exclusive interview to The Times of India on the eve of the newspaper's launch in Kerala, Chief Minister

Oommen Chandy said the new policy is aimed at making landholders the "first beneficiaries". This could be done by providing the best compensation possible. The other option is to give landholders special development rights over portions that remain with them. "For instance, landowners along proposed highways will have the right to build shops. Local bodies will act as facilitators and provide the enabling environment," Chandy said. (Times of India 1/2/12) State recommends extension of SEZ status for Posco project (4) BHUBANESWAR, January 31, 2012: Even as land acquisition for the mega steel plant proposed by South Korean steel behemoth Posco is yet to be completed, the State government has again recommended the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry to extend in principle the approval for multi-product Special Economic Zone status at Paradip. The State government has recommended the proposal of Posco India Limited that sought extension of in-principle approval in respect of multi product SEZ at Paradip up to October 25, 2012. The Fifth Board of Approval for SEZ on September 28, 2006 first granted in-principle approvals to the proposal from Posco India Private Limited for setting up of a multi-product SEZ in Jagatsinghpur district on an area of 1601.6 hectares. The investment was then said to be of the order of over Rs.53,000 crore. The approval was then granted after the State government representatives at the Board of Approvals meeting confirmed that land involved in the case would be on waste and barren lands or single crop lands only. In-principle approval was granted to the project up to October 2009 which was subsequently extended till October 2011. In the November 28, 2011, the inter-ministerial Board of Approval (BoA) deferred the issue of allowing Posco India more time to set up multi-product SEZ due to the absence of a ‘reasoned submission' of Odisha government. As per State Industry Department sources, it was promised that the project would create employment for 18,000 people directly and around 30,000 people indirectly. It was estimated that Rs. 97,000 crore would accrue in form of excise and custom, duties, services taxes, and corporate income taxes and Rs. 77,870 crore in form of sale tax, VAT, work contract tax, electricity duty, and royalties over a period of 30 years. However, the project hit a roadblock when villagers refused to part with their land to facilitate setting up of 12 million tonne per annum steel capacity project. Several clashes had already taken place centering around land acquisition. The MoU for project which was signed on June 22, 2005 has since been over. The company has already requested for extension of MoU. According to the Industries Department, a draft instrument of renewal of MoU has already been prepared. The draft was sent to the Law Department to opine whether any of the provisions contained in the draft violates any provision of law. (The Hindu 1/2/12) Two parties promise to give acquired land back to G oa farmers (4) Panaji : Giving back land to farmers acquired for various government projects including SEZs in the state, is one the main promises made by the two national parties who are fighting the March 3 Goa polls. Janata Dal (United) Goa President John Philip Pereira told reporters today that the party, if voted to power, will ensure that the land which was acquired for projects like SEZ would be acquired back and given to the original owners. Pereira said the lands were acquired for projects like SEZ or greenfield airport project at Mopa. "The party in the manifesto has made it clear that the land will be given back to the original owners," he said. Several thousand square metres of land is locked in the SEZ projects across state's industrial estates. Goa has scrapped its SEZ policy and process is on to denotify these industrial estate. The state has also planned greenfield airport at Mopa village in North Goa, for which huge tract of land has been acquired. Another party, Trinamool Congress Party has also made same promise in its manifesto. Trinamool Congress Party Goa Chief President Dr Wilfred de Souza said the land acquired for various government projects would be taken back and given to the people. De Souza, former Goa Chief Minister, said the land acquired for projects like SEZ, needs to be given back to its owners. He said the party's state policy is in sync with the policy of party leader Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. (DNA 6/2/12) ‘Moolamppilly evictees yet to be rehabilitated' (4) KOCHI, February 7, 2012: Allegations and counter-allegations marked the fourth anniversary of the displacement of 10 families from Moolamppilly for the Vallarpadom International Container Transshipment Terminal. While those representing the displaced families alleged laxity on the part of the authorities in implementing the rehabilitation package, the other side, led by District Collector, said all the allegations were baseless. Addressing a public meeting after a rally held at the High Court Junction here on Monday, senior Congress leader V. M. Sudheeran said that the Chief Minister should convene a meeting at the earliest to evaluate the progress of the rehabilitation process. Efforts should be taken to ensure that the rehabilitation is completed, he said. In a message released on Moolamppilly Day, former Supreme Court judge V.R. Krishna Iyer said that “Moolamppilly Day reminds me of how socialist India has forgotten the

havenot victims of a project constructed at great cost for the prosperity of big international traders. In the process a large number of poor people were thrown out of their habitation, made destitute and homeless.” The Coordination Committee for those displaced for development projects said that even a year after Prime Minister commissioning the Vallarpadom International Container Transshipment Terminal, 300 out of 316 families displaced for the project were staying in temporary shelters or on rent. The present UDF government led by Oommen Chandy gave these families assurance of time-bound implementation of Moolamppilly rehabilitation package in writing eight months ago. But no basic infrastructure has been provided at rehabilitation lands identified at Moolamppilly, Kothad, Mulavukad, Cheranalloor, Thuthiyoor and Vazhakkala. The district administration has also not removed the debris from the demolished side-bays of North Railway Overbridge, which was dumped at Thuthiyoor. (The Hindu 7/2/12) Police, villagers clash over SEZ (4) TONDAGI (EAST GODAVARI): Tension prevailed in Tondagi mandal and surrounding mandals of East Godavari after police arrested two activists championing an anti-Kakinada SEZ agitation in the wee hours of Monday. In retaliation to the police action, the villagers of the mandal cornered two police vehicles and more than 20 police personnel when cops entered Vakadaripet village in the morning. The agitators deflated the vehicles, while the women attacked the local SI. The incident took place when the police in plain clothes chased a private school teacher Peketi Ramana of Vakadaripet village in the early hours to arrest him. The villagers suspected them to be goons of KSEZ management and took them into their custody. Before this, another activist Chandaka Suribabu, a tailor, was arrested in Patachodipalli village while he was sleeping in his house. After learning that their men were taken into custody, the SI of Vaddimamida along with 10 cops entered the Vakadaripet village. Eventually, they too were taken into custody by the angry villagers, that created a tense atmosphere in the mandal. Additional forces including Rapid Action Force from Kakinada, Tuni and Annavaram reached Vakadaripet later, with a DSP rank officer and four circle inspectors. The farmers raised their voice against the illegal arrests of their men and demanded the cops to hand over their men first in return of the police personnel. Police later, appeased the villagers and gave an assurance of releasing Suribabu by the evening. The cops also promised to arrange a meeting with the collector and SP in a couple of days to sort out the problems. With this, the villagers released the police personnel. (Times of India 7/2/12) HPCL to raise compensation for land acquisition (4) Mumbai, Feb. 7: HPCL, which has been facing opposition for its Rs 40,000-crore refinery project in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, has decided to offer more money to villagers for their land. The company requires 4,000 hectares for the nine-million-tonne refinery project. Maharashtra's Principal Secretary for Revenue and Forest, Mr Praveensingh Pardeshi, told Business Line that appropriate permissions have been granted to HPCL, which will enable it to pay a higher compensation for land, than the current ready reckoner rate. It will help in countering the opposition it has been facing while acquiring land from the local farmers and other land holders, he said. Ratnagiri along with Sindhudurg and Raigad are ecologically sensitive districts of Konkan. These three districts have been selected for 12 energy projects. Close proximity to the sea makes it a favourite destination for power-projects based on imported coal. However, the locals feel that the pollution from the projects will destroy their livelihood. In December 2011, land surveyors engaged by HPCL were handed over to the police for “illegally” carrying out survey of 4,000 hectares. Villagers of Tavsal, Katole and surrounding four villages, where the survey was carried out, believe that the pollution and effluents from the refinery will destroy their business of coastal fishing and mango orchards. Mr Sadanand Pawar, who is spearheading the agitation against the refinery, told Business Line that the process of land survey and acquisition is usually done by informing the villagers and local panchayat leaders. But in this case neither HPCL nor the person assigned by the company for survey had given prior intimation to the gram panchayat. “Survey work was carried out illegally by retired persons from the Revenue Department. Though villagers were enraged by their presence, they did not harm the surveyors but chose to file a complaint against them at the local police station. A panchnama (legal document of evidence) has also been filed at the station,” said Mr Pawar, an environmental activist and professor of economics at a college in Mumbai. Mr Pawar said the villagers are not against development. Engineering, shipping, food processing or tourism-based industries can get land in the region. A little pollution from these industries can be tolerated. However, refinery or a thermal coal project is definitely not welcomed due to large-scale pollution. In spite of repeated efforts, HPCL's senior officials were not available for comment. (Business Line 7/2/12) Farmers oppose land acquisition (4) AURANGABAD: Farmers and activists affiliated to different social organizations joined hands on

Thursday to oppose land acquisition by the government for the proposed Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor, under which 10,000 hectares land would be acquired for setting up four mega industrial projects in the district. "The activists have planned a meet at Bidkin, about 20 km from the city, on February 11 to chalk out the future course of action. Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar has been invited to address the meet", said Vijay Diwan and Subhash Lomte, members of the action committee. Thousands of affected farmers from Aurangabad and Jalna districts would attend the Bidkin meet, they said. Addressing a news conference here at Gandhi Bhavan, they said the action committee also opposed the proposed 'Greater Aurangabad' township incorporating over 300 villages surrounding the city. This move would deprive farmers, tribals and other oppressed classes of their land that would eventually be turned into urban pockets, said Diwan. He said the government talked of increasing food production but wanted to erase the basic resource, farm land, through its policies. The activists alleged that it was an attempt to grab fertile land from farmers and villagers to benefit a few industrial houses in the name of industrial development and growth. They pointed out that a demand to acquire 300 acres more for the expansion of the Chikalthana airport has come up while the authorities concerned have already initiated the process to include 28 villages in the city's municipal limits. "If implemented, 10,000 hectares of land would be acquired for the Mumbai Delhi industrial corridor,'' Diwan said. Plans are afoot to set up a Greater Aurangabad, which would urbanize over 300 villages. Diwan and Lomte said at present the city's 12 lakh population received water on alternate days and the water was lifted from Jaikwadi dam situated about 50 km from the city. "If urbanization is encouraged on such a scale, this is bound to create different sets of problems and ultimately the oppressed and poor classes would be at the receiving end,'' Diwan said. Diwan pointed out that social reformer Anna Hazare and activist Popatrao Pawar, both from Ahmednagar district, are hailed for introducing model village system, where the villagers preferred to stay back instead of moving to urban centres. "If the government is convinced of these people's success, then why is their model not followed in the entire state,'' Diwan asked. "The government should take efforts to introduce urban facilities in villages,'' he added. "The government's proposed plans for Aurangabad would end up adding more slums. We demand that the government rethink its policies meant primarily to benefit foreign investors or a handful of local politicians and industries,'' he said. Activists Kashinath Kukarni, Shriram Jadhav, Col Durwesh Nehri and Buddhpriya Kabeer were also present at the media briefing. (Times of India 10/2/12) Cloud on sops takes sheen off SEZs (4) New Delhi, Feb. 12: Exporters are showing a marked aversion towards special economic zones because of uncertainties over tax exemptions. The imposition of a minimum alternate tax in the last budget along with the proposals in the direct taxes code (DTC) have sown the seeds of doubt among them over the viability of SEZs. SEZs contribute over Rs 3 lakh crore, or about 28 per cent to the country’s total outbound shipments, and provide direct employment to over 7 lakh people. Under the revised draft norms on DTC, which will replace the Income Tax Act of 1961 in the future, tax exemptions for SEZs will be confined to the existing units. Under the SEZ Act, units get 100 per cent exemption on profits earned for the first five years, while developers get an exemption for 10 years. Additionally, units get a 50 per cent exemption for the next five years and another 50 per cent on reinvested profits in the following five years. “The government promised us certain benefits and now we are on the verge of losing them. Exporters are now pulling out of SEZ projects as operating from other areas is more profitable. The incentives are all gone,” Sanjay Budhia, chairman of the national committee on exports, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), told The Telegraph. Exporters from all over the country met last week to discuss these issues. Last year, worried over the impact of global slowdown on exports, the commerce ministry had initiated an exercise to revitalise SEZs. “Industry is concerned over the imposition of minimum alternate tax (MAT) of 18.5 per cent on the book profits of SEZ developers and units,” Budhia said. The imposition of MAT and dividend distribution tax on developers and MAT on units coupled to the DTC proposal to withdraw profit-linked deductions have led to a fall in investments in SEZs. There has also been a significant decline in new proposals and an increase in applications from companies to withdraw their projects. Exporters want SEZ units to be treated on a par with units in the domestic tariff area (DTA). Unlike their counterparts in DTA, units in special economic zones do not get the benefits of duty drawback, focused product and focused market schemes. (Telegraph 13/2/12) Farmers take out bike rally seeking restitution of land (4) Mysore: More than 150 farmers from Kochanahalli and surrounding villages in Nanjangud taluk took out a bike rally here on Monday, seeking restitution of land acquired from them for a golf course. Nearly 800 acres were acquired by the project promoters after promising the farmers “permanent employment”. But even four years later, there are neither signs of the project being implemented nor have the farmers been

given jobs. The rally was supported by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), whose leaders led the protest. The farmers' agitation has been taking place for the last 30 days outside the Deputy Commissioner's office. On Monday, there was tension near the office as some farmers, peeved by the lack of response from the authorities, threatened to commit suicide. They were assuaged by the CITU leaders. Shashi Kumar, general secretary of CITU, said they were given a patient hearing by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, who said the issue had been brought to the notice of the Government. CITU had decided to take up the matter with Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda as neither Minister in charge of Mysore district S.A. Ramdas nor Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah had helped address their concerns. With rumours that the land acquired from them would be auctioned, the farmers intend to intensify their agitation in the days ahead. (The Hindu 14/2/12) More confusion in land acquisition (4) Rudra N Mohanty: : Legislation for land acquisition is to enable acquisition of land by the government, which is essentially expropriatory by nature, even though compensation based on market value is paid. Until about 10 years ago, ‘public purpose’ was ordinarily not being questioned until misuse of enactment came to fore. The new Bill comes with some corrections to identified problems but fails on the basics, as it primarily tries to curtail the power of the government to acquire land. The earlier acquisition price that was based on registration value with 30% solatium reflected a depressed value. This was because both buyers and sellers registered their transaction at a low value to avoid paying higher stamp duty. Low compensation exacerbated a view of the expropriatory nature of acquisition. Instead of correcting the problem, what the new Bill stipulates is the market value and 100% solatium is to be given in rural areas. But the problem comes in urban areas, where the registration rates are fairly aligned to market rate and conceding four times the market value is like a leaking bucket with the attendant consequence of possible collusive behaviour and corruption. ‘Urban area’ not being defined will not help matters either. While an expansive and generous definition of ‘public purpose’ earlier could accommodate projects that should have fallen legitimately within the scope of private purchase, the new Bill has collapsed the list, which is in order. But the problem comes with the insistence on the consent of 80% of the project-affected families. In essence, it will mean getting the consent of land owners, labourers, tenants and shareholders, which will be a near impossibility in our divisive system. The ‘urgency clause’, which is an enabler for decoupling taking possession of land from payment of compensation procedure is now limited to only national security and rehabilitation & resettlement (R&R) needs in the event of emergencies and calamities. It means for all other purposes, urgency clause cannot be invoked and we may have to wait for a long, long time for infrastructure and PPP projects for the production of public goods or the provisions of public service. The combination of R&R with the Land Acquisition Act creates unease. Although laudable in its intention, embedding R&R in a rights-based legislation makes a welfare measure like R&R rights-based. Bringing R&R into private acquisitions will no doubt push up the price of the land. The market factors in such kinds of issues and that is why a market clearing price, which is inclusive of the possible displacement cost, is always higher. Cost spiral in rem is inevitable in the new dispensation. The stipulation of providing R&R for 100% of area even where a small percentage of land is acquired and the rest purchased will push up the land cost, which will disincentivise the setting up of large-scale industry hubs, manufacturing and greenfield projects. Comprehensive R&R package of jobs or annuity for 20 years with indexation, transportation allowance and resettlement allowance for landowners and livelihood losers, along with 25 infrastructural amenities, will push the cost to an unsustainable high, particularly when the unintended consequence is that the number of people queuing up will be much more than the people really affected, a fungible category. Provision of a minimum one acre of land to each of the displaced families in the command area and one hectare to SC/ST families in any event will create a perverse incentive for families to show splitting of their land as the minimality will give them the benefits of getting multiple hectares of land while losing a small area. This should have been the maximum rather than the minimum, matching with the area lost with arrangements for setting off the cost against compensation. Multi-crop irrigated land has been put in the negative list of acquisition. A cap has been fixed at 5% on multi-crop irrigated land in the district as the cumulative area that can be acquired in a district. Such restrictive parameters, though appear laudable, actually militate against the land owners. This will limit the sale price of the land regardless of any value addition to the geographical region or the farmers’ need to sell it. In future, higher output is expected to come from lesser area and people in the agriculture sector will move to tertiary or industrial sectors but they are likely to be stuck in an excoriated trap of pricing with these restrictive provisions. While earlier increases in the value of land due to new uses, unfairly, were prohibited from being taken into account for compensation, the current enactment corrects this by providing for 20% of appreciated land value to be mandatorily shared with the original owner. But what is discomforting is the definition of ‘affected families’ and its spin-offs, which include

everyone dependent for the proceeding three years on the land being required, i.e. land owners, labourers, tenants and spare croppers. In urban areas, any family that is residing on the land to be acquired being treated as ‘affected family’ will give an incentive for squatting, encroachment and nullify the structure of rights created under the Indian law while increasing the liability for R&R without any justification. Although it is spurred by good intentions, the results can be disastrous. The litmus test of land acquisition is fair compensation so that despite expropriatory nature, land is available for development and fairness permeates the process. Now with a mixture of R&R and arbitrarily generous land compensation, land acquisition is going to cost above the market value, creating a cost spiral. With rights of multiple categories of people, we are giving impetus to a secondary industry including that of land right creation based on fungible parameters and endless litigation. We can surely look forward to more inept bureaucratic handling, more corruption and more of what the country excels at, i.e. more confusion and more garbled signals. (The Financial Express 16/2/12) Dharna against land acquisition planned (4) Karwar, February 17, 2012: The Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) should drop the idea of acquiring 55 acres of land of poor farmers at Chittakula in Karwar, Kishor Desai, advocate and social activist, has said. He told presspersons here on Thursday that people would stage a dharna here on February 22 if the KHB went ahead with its decision to acquire land. He said that an action committee had been formed to prevent the KHB from acquiring land. Mr. Desai alleged that the KHB did not take people into confidence before issuing a notification to acquire land. The KHB officials had misguided the government in this regard. He said the KHB could acquire 150 acres of land at Hanakon village. The land was owned by a company that had a plan to set up a thermal power plant at Hanakon. The company dropped its plan owing to protests. It was looking for buyers now, he added. (The Hindu 17/2/12) Jharkhand leaders violate land law? Ranchi, Feb 18 : Political leaders across the political spectrum in Jharkhand have been accused of violating a land law in the state. Those facing the allegations include Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren, Land and Revenue Minister Mathura Mahto, Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu and Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) legislator Neel Kanth Singh Munda. All of them have been accused of violating the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, which says that only tribal people belonging to the same circle and police station can buy land of tribal people. The allegation is that these leaders bought land outside their circle and police station jurisdiction. Shibu Soren allegedly purchased land in Nagratoli area of Ranchi and Pradeep Balmuchu reportedly bought land at Hatma area in Ranchi. Mathura Mahto allegedly purchased land in Dhanbad district. The leaders have denied violating any law. Mathura Mahto said: "If the charges are proved, I will return the land." The Jharkhand High Court this month said Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Class land cannot be purchased without permission from the deputy commissioner of the respective districts. (IANS) (New Kerala 19/2/12) Bengal set to scrap its SEZ Act (4) Kolkata: The state government is set to scrap the SEZ (Special Economic Zone) Act, 2003 that it formulated “to facilitate the development, operation, maintenance, management, administration and the regulation of SEZs in West Bengal”. The Act stipulates the waiver of electricity tariff in full, without any restriction of period, stamp duty, registration fees, import and export duties under state law, among other issues.The proposal is likely to come in the Cabinet meeting this month-end. Meanwhile, the state government, alarmed that Infosys may withdraw its project from the state, will seek SEZ-loke benefits for the IT bellwether from the Centre. But since the Trinamool Congress, in its election manifesto, has declared that it was against setting up of SEZs, the state government will request a different tag — other than SEZ — for the facilities provided under the SEZ Act 2005 of the Centre. Meanwhile, Basudev Banerjee, Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industries and Information Technology, who is expected to leave for New Delhi on February 23 with the Infosys letter, will discuss with officials of the Union ministry of commerce and industries as to how Infosys could be given SEZ-like facilities. Infosys had recently written to the state government saying it is surrendering the 50 acres that it had got from Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO), a government agency, and requesting for refund of the Rs 18.90 crore it paid as first tranche of the total amount of money for the land. It fixed February 15 as the deadline for the government’s response. (Indian Express 23/2/12) Reliance SEZ issue triggers debate in Haryana Vidha n Sabha (4) CHANDIGARH: Vidhan Sabha speaker Kuldeep Sharma on Friday disallowed a call attention motion on the issue of shelving the SEZ project in Gurgaon by the Reliance group. However, the issue remained

alive in the discussion on governor's address in the assembly on Friday. Ambala Cantt MLA and leader of BJP legislature party, Anil Vijh, had moved the call attention motion on February 21 seeking a statement from Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on the issue. The motion was disallowed on the grounds that the subject matter was not of recent occurrence. This resulted in a walkout by BJP legislators and HJC MLA Renuka Bishnoi. Initiating the discussion on governor's address, Ambala city MLA and former Union minister Venod Sharma lauded the role of government in tackling issues faced by people. In his address, INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala blamed the Hooda government for misleading the masses, especially while referring to the Gurgaon SEZ. Heated arguments ensued as parliamentary affairs minister Randeep Surjewala came out with details, stating that erstwhile INLD government had initiated the process for setting up the SEZ in 2003. Except for the issue related to completion of Hansi Butana canal, there were heated arguments between opposition and treasury benches over every question. However, surprisingly, a question related to judicial probe into Ambala school van tragedy wherein 13 children of primary classes had died, failed to be part of discussion. There was pandemonium as BJP's Anil Vijh sought to know the fate of calling attention motions over Reliance Haryana SEZ and discontent in Haryana Police force over wages. INLD leader Om Parkash Chautala sought adjournment motion over the issue of law and order situation in the state, which was however rejected by speaker Kuldeep Sharma, which resulted in a walkout by INLD MLAs. (Times of India 25/2/12) Forced land acquisition will be Mayawati's Waterlo o: Jayant Chaudhary (4) As Uttar Pradesh readies for the penultimate round of its assembly elections Tuesday, forcible acquisition of farmland and its transfer to private builders will weigh heavily on the voter's mind, says Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) MP Jayant Chaudhary. "The protests in Noida and other places in western Uttar Pradesh will have their impact. People, especially farmers, will vote against Chief Minister Mayawati who was responsible for the land acquisition," Chaudhary, 33, told IANS in this town, 100 km from Delhi. "Forcibly acquired farmlands and the killing of farmers will prove to be Mayawati's Waterloo," he said. Chaudhary, seeks to carry on the legacy of his grandfather, former prime minister Charan Singh, and father, union minister and RLD chief Ajit Singh. He is the Lok Sabha MP from Mathura, but is contesting the assembly polls from Mat, which falls in his parliamentary constituency. The sixth of the seven-phased assembly elections will be held Tuesday. According to Chaudhary, farmers don't want a blanket ban on acquisition. "But they are against the Mayawati government's act of acquiring land in the name of public purpose and transferring it to private builders who later sell properties built there at highly enhanced prices," said the London School of Economics alumnus. "For the past few years, I and (Congress leader) Rahul Gandhi have been opposing and agitating against the indiscriminate action of the Mayawati government of taking away prime farmland and gifting it to private builders," he added. Two farmers and a policeman were killed in violence during a farmer agitation in Tappal in Mathura in August 2010 while two farmers and two policemen were killed in another farmer stir in Bhatta-Parsaul in Greater Noida in May 2011. Seven other farmers were killed in a series of violent incidents in 2008-09 in western Uttar Pradesh. Chaudhary had taken up the cause of farmers in Mathura and Aligarh while Rahul rode into Bhatta-Parsaul on a two-wheeler on May 11, putting the land acquisition issue in Uttar Pradesh in national limelight. RLD is contesting the assembly polls in alliance with the Congress. RLD is fighting from 47 seats - 43 of which are in western Uttar Pradesh - in the 403-member assembly. "We could stop the brazen land acquisition because of our agitation in Mathura-Aligarh districts," the RLD leader said. "Not that farmers are blindly and blankly opposing any acquirement of land. But it should not destroy the future of farmers and just help a private parties," said Chaudhary. Various models of compensation based on equity and lease could be discussed, but the basic purpose should be public interest, not private profits and kickbacks to a few politicians, he said. Farmers and their land should not become an object of exploitation by officials and profiteers, he said. Farmland should be acquired only for an important public purpose and at a equitable compensation, he said, "Because land is the only asset of a farmer." (New Kerala 27/2/12) Can not grant SEZ status to Infosys, says Mamata (4 ) Kolkata: The last hope for Infosys setting foot in the state receded as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today made it clear that her government would under no circumstances recommend SEZ staus for the IT giant. “We are opposed to SEZ in the state, but we are ready to provide them facilities and other incentives,’’ Mamata today told a private TV channel. Infosys chief N R Narayanamurthy had made it clear that unless his company was accorded SEZ status, as was done by other states, it would pull out of Bengal. Amidst the gloom, senior Infosys official Vinod Goyal is coming to Kolkata on February 29 to discuss a way out. “Our position is very clear. We are not in favour of SEZ but we are ready to give them

all facilities. For example, we gave them land at a concessional price,’’ Partha Chatterjee, minister for commerce and industries, told The Indian Express. The company has got 50 acres and it has paid about Rs 18 crore as a first tranche of the total amount. (Indian Express 28/2/12) Court sets aside notification on land acquisition ( 4) CHENNAI, March 1, 2012: The Madras High Court has set aside a notification of July last year seeking to acquire lands measuring 2 acres and 47 cents belonging to the Sri Venkateswara Educational and Charitable Trust here at Mathur village in Tiruvannamalai district. Allowing a petition by the trust, Justice Vinod K.Sharma imposed costs of Rs.20,000 payable to the trust. The petitioner sought to quash a notification of July 5 of the Secretary, Industries, SIPCOT (LA) Department, seeking to acquire the land and a subsequent order dated July 21 last year of the District Collector, Tiruvannamalai, directing the trust to hand over the land. The petitioner submitted that the land was meant for starting an engineering college, Saraswathi (Ramadoss) Engineering College. All steps were taken for establishing the institution. While so, by the impugned proceedings, the government sought to acquire the land for SIPCOT expansion programme. The trust sent a representation raising objections. There was no reply. The Judge said the procedure adopted was totally contrary to the statutory requirement under section 3 of the Land Acquisition Act before issuing the notification. The notifications were further vitiated for the reason that no order was passed on the petitioner's representation. No material was available on record to show that the government considered the objections. As the July 5 notification had been set aside, the second notification being the consequential notification also could not be sustained. The proceedings held and the procedure adopted showed that the petitioner had been unnecessarily harassed and the land was sought to be acquired by violating the statutory provisions rather than following them, the Judge said. (The Hindu 1/3/12) HC’s no to plea on land acquisition (4) HYDERABAD: A division bench of the high court, comprising Chief Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar, refused to interdict the acquisition of land along one side of the road from Sant Nirankari Bhavan to Dwarka Hotel on the busy Lakdi-ka-Pul stretch. The bench dismissed a writ appeal filed by M Rajendra Kumar along with nine others. The petitioners - occupants of the premises popularly known as Margadarshi Bhavan - complained that choosing to widen only one side of the road was illegal and discriminatory. A single judge had earlier dismissed the writ petition. The bench pointed out that it was for authorities to decide what land was required and said that neither the land owner nor the court may suggest an alternative plan or site. (Times of India 2/3/12) ‘Land allotted to SEZs being misused' (4) Rajya Sabha member from Andhra Pradesh V. Hanumantha Rao has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to order a detailed review of utilisation of prime land allotted to industries under the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as there are complaints of misuse of such land for real estate purposes. In a letter to Dr. Singh, Mr. Rao wanted stringent action against the defaulting companies, and firms which failed to set up the SEZ should return the land to the government so that it could be given back to the original farmer-owners. He claimed that though 109 SEZs were approved in the State, only 36 were operational now. Land given to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant after they were acquired from farmers had been given to a private firm for setting up the Gangavaram port. How could the steel plant give the surplus land to the private company instead of returning it to the government for giving back to the farmers? (The Hindu 6/3/12) State to complete 68% of Posco compensatory affores tation in FY13 (4) Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar: The state Forest and Environment Ministry has set a target to complete at least 68 per cent of compensatory afforestation work, earmarked in exchange of forest land diverted for Posco project, in the upcoming financial year. The state has identified 1,287 ha land in Cuttack, Jajpur and Jagatsinghpur districts, which will be used for afforestation to compensate the 1,253 ha land diverted for Posco project , to be constructed near Paradip, in Jagatsinghpur district. Out of 1,287 ha land identified, the state ministry aims to complete the work in 870 ha area in 2012-13, state minister for forest and environment Debi Prasad Miishra said in the state assembly while replying to a question of MLA Hitesh Bagarti. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, after studying the reports submitted by an expert committee about the nature and amount of forest land, permitted the Korean steel maker to go ahead with its ambitious $12 billion investment in January last year, with almost four dozen riders. For its 12 million tonne integrated steel plant, Posco needs around 1,620 ha land. So far, it has already acquired 809 ha or more than 2,000 acre after more than six years of signing memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the

state government. However, the company has hardly made any progress in its first phase construction due to stiff opposition from local villagers from Nuagaon and Dhinkia. Out of the 1,253 ha forest land diverted for the project, these two villages have 1,106 ha of protected forest area, state government data showed. (Business Standard 6/3/12) Posco India in damage control mode (4) Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar Mar 07, 2012: Barely a week after publicly venting its discontent against the state government for not lifting restriction on entry of its officials to the project site, Posco India is understood to have taken a u-turn. The company authorities are planning to meet the state government's top brass soon in a bid to ease the strained relations between the two sides.The meeting between Posco and government officials is seen as a damage control exercise by the steel major in the aftermath of a recent seminar by the company which is believed to have irked the state government. A top Posco India official confirmed the visit of company officials later this month. He, however, refused to divulge the itinerary of the visit. Top government officials were not immediately available for comments on the matter. On last Saturday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stressed on implementing the Posco project with caution, hinting at the rift between the government and Posco India authorities. Though the project has been battling protests over land acquisition from locals, government support for the big ticket project has been more or less un-stinted, be it facilitating land acquisition or pushing the company's case for mining lease application. However, the tirade of Posco chairman and managing director Yong-Won Woon against the state government at the company sponsored global engineering seminar held at Paradip on last Thursday for not lifting the restriction on site visit by the company officials seems to have done the damage. And with top government functionaries skipping the seminar, the guessing game relating to the project’s future has started among the different stakeholders of the project. It may be noted that Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Orissa (Idco) had cautioned Posco against organizing any seminar at the project site since the ground situation did not favour the holding of such a meet especially in the aftermath of the recently concluded panchayat elections in the state and release of controversial local contractor Bapi Sarkhel on bail. Sarkhel was nabbed in connection with a bloody violence that had erupted between supporters and opponents of the project on December 14, last year, during construction of the coastal corridor. The state government's land acquisition agency had even warned that organizing any such meet would jeopardize the best interest of the country's biggest FDI project. (Business Standard 7/3/12) Orissa: Posco seeks more time for SEZ projects (4) New Delhi: Unable to proceed with their projects due to different reasons, Vedanta Aluminium and Posco have sought more time from the Centre to implement their respective special economic zones (SEZs). An inter-ministerial Board of Approval (BoA), chaired by Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar, will consider both the requests on March 13, according to documents. While South Korean steel major Posco's project is getting delayed because of land issue, Vedanta Aluminium has some issues with their captive power plant, an official said. Posco's subsidiary Posco India Pvt Ltd had received in-principle approval from the BoA for setting up the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Jagatsinghpur. The in-principle clearance was valid till October 2011. "The state government has now recommended extension of the in-principle approval up to October 2012," documents said. The SEZ would come up at an area of 1,620 hectares, but the state government has leased only 245 hectares. Vedanta Aluminium's SEZ was notified in 2007 for setting up of a zone for manufacture and export of aluminum in Orissa. The developer was granted extension till May 2010. It has sought extension till May 2013. "...the SEZ is likely to commence operations by December 2012 and exports are likely to commence by March 2013," it added. Sources said though the developer has completed about 90 per cent of the project, there were some issues related with the captive power plant have to be resolved with the Orissa government. "That is why we have sought more time from the BoA," the source added. Besides, eleven other SEZ developers including that of Navi Mumbai SEZ ltd, Cochin Port Trust and Ansal IT City and Parks Ltd have sought more time from the BoA for implementation of their tax free enclaves. The BoA would also consider four de-notification cases. Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation wants to surrender its pharmaceutical SEZ at Ratnagiri district. "The developer has requested for de-notification of the SEZ stating that the land on which the SEZ was proposed falls a part of 3,000 acre proposed to be allotted to HPCL for setting up of refinery project," it said. Bajaj Holdings and Investment Ltd wants to surrender its engineering tax free zone due to uncertain taxation scenario. In the wake of uncertainties over tax incentives, scores of SEZ developers were given more time to execute their project and some of them have surrendered. Besides, four developers including that of Infosys Ltd and Jubilant Infrastructure Ltd have approached the government to set up new zones. Exports from SEZs grew by 23 per cent to Rs 72,255 crore during the first quarter of 2011-12. (The Financial Express 11/3/12)

BoA on SEZ to decide fate of Posco, Vedanta on Tues day (4) New Delhi: The government will tomorrow consider different requests of 14 developers including Posco, Vedanta Aluminium, on their SEZ projects. Navi Mumbai SEZ Ltd, Cochin Port Trust and Ansal IT City and Parks Ltd have also requested additional time for project implementation from the Board of Approval (BoA), headed by Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar, the commerce ministry said.The BoA, a 19-member inter-ministerial body that deals with special economic zone (SEZ) related matters, would also consider four de-notification cases. Bajaj Holdings and Investment Ltd wants to surrender its engineering SEZ due to uncertain taxation scenario. Besides, seven developers including Infosys Ltd, Jubilant Infrastructure Ltd and Tata Consultancy Services Ltd have approached the government to set up new zones. While South Korean steel major Posco's project is getting delayed because of land issue, Vedanta Aluminium has some issues with their captive power plant, an official said. Posco's subsidiary Posco India Pvt Ltd had received in-principle approval from the BoA for setting up the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Jagatsinghpur. The in-principle clearance was valid till October 2011. Vedanta Aluminium's SEZ was notified in 2007 for setting up of a zone for manufacture and export of aluminum in Orissa. The developer was granted extension till May 2010. It has sought extension till May 2013. "...The SEZ is likely to commence operations by December 2012 and exports are likely to commence by March 2013," it added. Further the Board would also consider an application of Reliance Industries, that wants to buy Cairn India's Rajasthan crude oil for processing at its only-for-exports Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat. Any sale to a SEZ or only-for-exports unit is considered outward shipment or exports out of India. The current policy does not allow export of domestically produced crude oil. Besides, Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company have sought Centre's nod to procure restricted items and navigational wireless communication equipment for manufacture of some specific type of vessels and warships for Indian Navy. The unit is in a engineering SEZ in Gujarat. Exports from SEZs grew by 23% to Rs 72,255 crore during the first quarter of 2011-12. (Business Line 12/3/12) Budget 2012: Nasscom for removal of MAT on SEZs, cl ear transfer pricing norms (4) NEW DELHI: Software body Nasscom has urged the government to withdraw the Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) on SEZ units and provide clarity in transfer pricing norms to help create a conducive environment for the growth of over $70 billion Indian IT-BPO sector. In its Budget submission to the Finance Ministry, Nasscom has recommended that MAT on SEZ income be withdrawn as it is counter to the long-term policy announced by the government through the SEZ Act. "MAT should be withdrawn at least in respect of SEZs which have already been notified so that economic viability of these SEZs is protected. Moreover, MAT rate should be brought to one-third of the corporate tax rates i.e., to 10 per cent (international norms to be applied)," it said. Nasscom said, would help in creating a conducive policy environment to sustain and grow the IT-BPO sector in India. The MAT was increased to 18.5 per cent last year. This impacted the Indian IT firms, especially smaller players, as they were moving to SEZs after the exemptions under the Software Technology Parks of Indian scheme came to an end. Nasscom said policy changes like replacing the exemption in March 2011 with refund mechanism for input services and the imposition of MAT from Assessment Year 2012 has diluted the incentive and created deterrent for future growth of SEZs. On the issue of transfer pricing, Nasscom has recommended a three-pronged approach. "Firstly, for past and current claims, 'Safe Harbour' provisions be used to resolve all outstanding cases. Second, introduce Advance Pricing Agreements (APA) to help set fair and transparent pricing of transactions and provide certainty to firms in the future. "Thirdly, review the structure and procedures of the Dispute Resolution Panel to ensure that the mechanism is effective in achieving its mandated purpose," it said. This will help expeditiously clear the backlog and provide certainty in the future for transfer pricing issues, Nasscom said. Transfer pricing deals with the technique where parent companies sell goods and services to subsidiary entities at an inflated price to deliberately reduce profits and tax liability. The law requires that goods and services should be sold to subsidiary companies at arm's length price -- the price at which goods are traded between unconnected companies. Taxing these units has become a complex area for the revenue department, with the government often disagreeing on the profits declared by a foreign company for its Indian unit. (Times of India 14/3/12) House to debate CNT change on March 29 (4) Ranchi, March 12: The state Assembly will debate the Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act on March 29, a decision today taken by a House committee to allow all parties to clear their individual position on the thorny issue of land transfer. The business advisory committee of the House called the special debate after chief minister Arjun Munda said he was in favour of discussion, even as he denied any pending proposal with the government to amend the act. Replying to JVM leader Pradeep Yadav during the CM

Question Hour on Day 2 of the budget session, Munda said, “There is a need to hold discussions in the Assembly on the critical issue. The government, at present, has no proposal to bring any change in the law which has both positive and negative impacts on the community for whose interests it was framed.” Munda had ruled out changes to the act last week, a contrary position to the Opposition JVM that has been demanding amendment. The chief minister, in a tactful response, put the onus of effecting changes to the act on those influenced by it. “The honourable high court has only elaborated the act, what the law says and how the government should follow the same. The demand for amending the act should come from those (read ST, SC and BCs) to safeguard whom the law was framed,” said Munda. The government is believed to have opted for discussion to allow every party clear its stand on the tenancy law, which was enacted in 1908 by the British following the agitation led by tribal icon Birsa Munda. Parties have taken varying stances on the question of amending the act. The government had recently given a go-ahead to name Raj Kishore Mahto as chairman of the State Law Commission. It is likely to approach the commission for legal advice on the raging issue. The appointment of Raj Kishore, a former BJP MLA and the son of JMM’s founder president late Binod Bihari Mahto, is being seen as a politically wise move of Munda. For, the JMM is against any amendment to the CNT Act. The recent furore over the act has been the result of a high court verdict. On January 25, Jharkhand High Court made it mandatory to seek the permission of the deputy commissioner (DC) for transfer of land belonging to Backward Classes (BC) and Scheduled Castes (SC). The restriction was earlier applicable to land owned by Scheduled Tribes (ST) alone. According to the act, a tribal may transfer his land through sale, exchange, gift or will to a fellow ST member and residents of his own police station area. Similarly, a select group of SCs and BCs can transfer land to members of their own communities within the district following prior permission from the DC. During the CM Question Hour, Munda also announced that the government would set up libraries and appoint librarians in public schools. He was replying to a query of Bagodar CPI(ML) legislator Vinod Kumar Singh. Meanwhile, a massive rally of thousands of supporters of the CNT Act led by tribal leader and former MP Salkhan Murmu, threw traffic out of gear on the city’s arterial roads in the afternoon. (The Telegraph 13/3/12) New law must explain reasons for land acquisition ( 4) The Economic Survey has asked for a “well structured eminent domain law” to put an end to the constant hold-up of land acquisition encountered by industry. It says the government must have the role of a mediator in any new law on land acquisition so that objections raised by some farmers don’t decide the fate of industrial projects. The government must mediate and support farmers wishing to sell their land to industry. It says setting up a new industry requires a lot of contiguous land and since these are plots held by various farmers, their interests get pitted against one another. “If we force the one farmer holding out to sell, we violate his interest, and if we abandon the project, we are violating the interests of the farmers who want to sell,” it says. Still, the Survey is very clear that the farmer who does not want to sell land should not come in the way of the rights of the farmer who wants to sell. “Not to have a viable land acquisition policy is to compromise the rights of those who want to sell their land.. It is this that necessitates the government to step in as mediator,” it says. To leave it entirely to the market would mean giving in entirely to the hold-up problem. It identifies the rights of farmers who wish to sell their land with the growth of industrialisation and urgently seeks a “well articulated law on where and under what circumstance and for what kind of payment can government acquire land from farmers for industrial purposes”. And, says the draft land acquisition Bill addresses these issues. The Survey also calls for flexibility in labour laws in the interest of both the industry and workers. It says there is need to give much greater freedom to both employers and employees to voluntarily sign contracts of different kinds and then have the state recognise the contract and help enforce it. It says needs vary in a modern economy and some may need permanent labour, while some may serve demands that are volatile and need flexibility in running their labour force up and down. It says workers may also want options ranging from permanence of tenure to temporary work to earn more money. It says the price of curbing flexibility hits workers the most, as it would reduce demand and thus keep wages low. Business Standard 16/3/12) 154 SEZs operational: Anand Sharma (4) New Delhi: Only one-fourth of 587 special economic zones (SEZs) approved by the government to boost exports have become operational, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma told the Rajya Sabha today. He said during Question Hour that the government had approved 587 SEZs, of which 380 have been notified. The number of operational SEZs is 154 or 25.43% of the approved special zones. "If there are delays beyond permission, actions are taken," he said adding several requests have been received for denotification of SEZs in view of taxation issues and slowdown in target market. As on December 31, 2011, an investment of Rs 249,631 crore has been made in SEZs, generating direct employment for over

8 lakh persons. Exports from SEZ increased 43.11% to Rs 315,868 crore in FY11. "The total physical exports from SEZs as on December 31, 2011, that is, in the first three quarters of the current financial year, has been to the tune of Rs 260,973 crore, registering a growth of 14.50% over the exports of the corresponding period of the previous year," he said. "SEZs account for 25% of India's export earnings," Sharma said, adding SEZs were set up to encourage investment and exports. The total value of concessions available in SEZs was Rs 8,614 crore while those in non-SEZ areas was about Rs 50,000 crore, he said. India's exports are likely to touch $300 billion this year as against $252 billion last year, he said. "The fiscal concessions and duty benefits allowed to SEZs are inbuilt into the SEZ Act, 2005. These exemptions are in the nature of incentives for export and investment and are consistent with the principles that guide export/investment promotion initiatives of the Government in general, and cannot be termed as a revenue loss," he added. (Financial Chronicle 21/3/12) Mamata welcomes Infosys, but denies SEZ status (4) Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday assured Infosys of assistance in setting up its unit in the state, but reiterated her government's stand of not allowing SEZ status to the IT major. Replying to the debate on the Governor's address, the chief minister said it was her government's policy not to allow SEZ status and she could not change the decision. Stating that there was a land policy, Banerjee said her government was against forcible land acquisition and had set up a land bank to protect the interest of farmers. The chief minister attacked the previous Left government for resorting to forcible land acquisition, and said in the last 10 months, the new government had made best effort to restore farmers' rights. Making a reference to the land movement in Singur and Nandigram Banerjee said she would not forget the martyrs and those who contributed to the resistance against farmland acquisition. Stating that she saluted the martyrs of Tebhaga movement launched by the Left parties in the 40s to secure farmers' rights over farmland, Banerjee urged the CPI(M) and Left Front constituents to show respect to the martyrs of the land movements in Singur and Nandigram. (CNN-IBN 22/3/12) Jharkhand stops land acquisition for BCCL (4) Ranchi, March 23 : The Jharkhand government has stopped land acquisition for Coal India Ltd. (CIL) subsidiary Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) as it was not following the prescribed rehabilitation policy, the state assembly was informed Friday. "The state government has stopped acquiring land for BCCL as the company is not accepting the rehabilitation policy of the state government formulated in 2008," Land and Revenue Minister Mathura Mahto informed the house. Dhullu Mahto of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P), and Leader of Opposition Rajendra Singh, of the Congress, also raised the issue of double standards adopted by the BCCL while giving compensation to displaced people. Several other legislators also supported them. "CIL adopts double standard while giving compensation to displaced people. In Odisha, CIL gives jobs to those people whose one acre land has been acquired and in Jharkhand, BCCL gives jobs when two acres of land of a person is acquired," said Singh. In his reply, the minister said BCCL has been asked to follow the state's relief and rehabilitation policy formulated in 2008. "When BCCL declined to follow, then we stopped acquiring land for it," he said. (IANS) (New Kerala 23/3/12) Land acquisition opposed (4) COIMBATORE, March 24, 2012: Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangham has decided not to cooperate with the proposed land acquisition for the Neelambur bypass road project. Farmers would not furnish land records to the authorities.President of the Sangham M.R. Sivasamy pointed out that the National Highways Authority of India has announced the survey numbers of lands proposed for acquisition. Mr. Sivasamy said that the Neelambur bypass road should have been a straight alignment for 34 km. Instead, for the benefit of industrialists and land owners in Saravanampatty area, the length of the bypass road has been increased to 60 km. This would result in acquisition of 5,000 acres of agricultural land besides demolition of 2,000 houses. The bypass would not help in decongesting the existing roads. Mr. Sivasamy pointed out that the previous DMK regime refused to take up the land acquisition owing to the objections. The Chief Minister should intervene in the matter.(The Hindu 24/3/12) Yet another land acquisition in Greater Noida set a side by court (4) Allahabad, March 24, 2012: In yet another case of annulment of land acquired by Uttar Pradesh Government in Greater Noida, the Allahabad High Court on Friday directed authorities to return five hectares of land to two farmers from Gautam Buddh Nagar district. The Court also imposed a cost of Rs 25,000 on the State Government and the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA). A

Division Bench comprising Justices Sunil Ambawani and Manoj Mishra gave the verdict on the writ petition of Ram Singh and another farmer, who owned 4.9 hectares of land in Briandi Chakrasenpur village under Pargana Dadri tehsil which had not been taken possession of despite a notification for acquisition being issued over three years ago. The petitioners had moved the Court challenging acquisition of their land, on which they had been carrying out farming besides having built houses, vide notification dated November 19, 2008 whereby a total of 9.8 hectares of land was acquired in the village for the purpose of “planned industrial development”. The petitioners had submitted that their land was acquired without the district authorities or the GNIDA having discussed the matter with them and stated that they were not interested in compensation or a share in the developed land but only wanted back their plot, which had so far not been taken possession of. The Court allowed the petition while holding that the respondents' objection to returning the land to petitioners on the ground that “leaving a plot will raise concrete jungle and will affect the planning” was “totally devoid of force”. - PTI (The Hindu 24/3/12) Traders oppose land acquisition for service lanes ( 4) TIRUCHI, March 25, 2012: The Federation of Affected Residents, Labourers and Traders Welfare Associations of Thuvakudi-Palpannai area, a newly floated organisation, has opposed the proposed move to acquire lands for laying service lanes between Palppannai and Thuvakudi along the four-lane Tiruchi-Thanjavur National Highway. The federation, after an urgent meeting held on Friday, claimed that the land acquisition would adversely affect a large number of traders and residents as several shops, commercial establishments and other buildings would have to be demolished on the 14-km stretch. Laying of service lanes have been one of the major demands of residents of colonies located on either sides of the city stretch of the highway. However, the federation contended that the land acquisition would displace several traders, labourers and residents along the road as up to 50 feet of land is proposed to be acquired on either side of the highway. It claimed that the service lanes would be rendered redundant once the by-pass road connecting the Thanjavur Highway and the Pudukottai Highway was laid. The traffic on the city stretch of the Thanjavur Highway would be reduced considerably after this, it said. The meeting resolved to organise a fast at Kailash Nagar opposing the acquisition on April 2. Affected traders and commercial establishments would also observe a 24-hour bandh as part of the agitation, according to a statement issued by the federation secretary M.Shenbagaraj. (The Hindu 25/3/12) Technopark seeks SEZ clearance for 130 acres of lan d (4) THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Technopark has requested SEZ clearance for around 130 acres of land for the Technocity project. "We moved two applications to the Union ministry of commerce and industry on Friday. Our request includes land on both sides of NH 47, the TCS and the Infosys side. The board of approvals meeting on March 30 will decide on this," said Technopark CEO Girish Babu. When asked why the Technopark had opted for SEZ clearance only for 130 acres, while it had close to 420 acres in its possession, the CEO said, "To apply for SEZ status, the survey numbers need to be a on a continuous stretch. That is the criterion. We could only manage to get around 130 acres that can be treated as a single plot." The Technopark now has 350 acres in its possession, as the high court has stayed the possession of 70 acres as some of the plots belong to clay mine owners who approached the court with a petition stating that they had obtained permission of Union ministry of mines to carry out mining. Some parts of the land belong to individuals as well. So, the HC stayed acquisition of land in Pallipuram, Andoorkonam, Melthonnakkal and Veiloor villages. Meanwhile, Infosys has requested that its property on 50 acres be included in the SEZ list . "Infosys is a co-developer and the company could have directly asked for clearance but they wanted us to do it and so we have included their property in the application A," said K Venu, manager, land acquisition. Technocity has been planned as an IT-satellite city. Non-SEZ areas will likely have residential, commercial, hospitality, medical and educational facilities. (Times of India 26/3/12) Don't raise water level in Maheshwar dam, says NBA (4) Bhopal, April 2, 2012: The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) has opposed the Madhya Pradesh government's move to fill up the Maheshwar dam up to a height of 154 metres and has warned of a “jal satyagraha” if the government goes ahead with the decision. The State government, along with the Maheshwar project promoter Shree Maheshwar Hydel Power Corporation Ltd (SMHPCL), has asked permission from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to fill up the dam up to 154 metres. A MoEF team that visited the affected areas on March 22 and 23, is yet to submit its report on the matter. The NBA has opposed the State government move as being “arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional” and expressed “grave apprehension” that any such filling may cause the death of hundreds and thousands of villagers falling in the submergence zone. “As per the letter of Secretary,

Union Ministry of Power dated 18.02.2011 and the opinion of Central Electricity Authority dated 17.02.2011, no synchronisation and electricity generation is possible at 154 metres,” said Alok Agarwal of the NBA. “If any permission is given for filling up the dam, the villagers will embark on jal satyagraha and will die rather than abandon their lands and homes without rehabilitation and resettlement,” said Mr. Agarwal. The NBA claims that the State government has no estimate of the areas that will be submerged if the water level is raised, since no study has been done in this regard. The area behind the Maheshwar dam in the plains of the Narmada Valley is absolutely flat. Thus, even a small submergence may cause the “drowning and death of thousands of persons” in the area. Citing the Supreme Court judgment of March 2005 (Narmada Bachao Andolan vs. Union of India & Ors.), the NBA claimed that raising of water level could only be permitted six months after the completion of rehabilitation and resettlement and the State government's move would amount to contempt of the SC order. According to the NBA, less than 15% of the project-affected people (from 61 villages) have been rehabilitated till date. The NBA has also demanded action against Khargone District Collector for providing a “false certificate” to the SMHPCL, which stated that filling of the reservoir up to 154 metres would not cause any submergence. (The Hindu 2/4/12) Farmers protest land acquisition (4) NASHIK: Led by Shetkari Sangharsha Samiti and Kisan Sabha, the villagers of Jogaltembhi, Naygaon, Jakhori and others in Sinnar tehsil - to be affected by the proposed railway track from Eklahara to Indiabulls in Sinnar - staged a sit-in agitation on Monday at the revenue commissionerate, demanding exclusion from the project. "We don't want to give our land at all. We are not demanding an additional sum," Hiraman Pansare of Naigaon village said. About ten villagers from all the thirteen project-affected villages joined the agitation, under the leadership of DL Karad, general secretary, CPM. "The demands are very simple: the collector, Nashik, sub-divisional officer, Niphad and tehsildar, Sinnar be transferred immediately for showing unwarranted interest in the land acquisition procedures of the project," the samiti said. The other demands were that the proposed railway project at Sinnar, the special economic zone (SEZ) proposed at Dindori be cancelled. The farmers also asked for a thorough enquiry into the assets of Mangalsingh Suryawanshi, a Sinnar police inspector who was suspended last week. (Times of India 3/4/12) Government to hand over 50 acres to Infosys (4) THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A memorandum of understanding for handing over 50 acres of land to IT major Infosys will be signed here on Wednesday in the presence of Infosys co-chairman Kris Gopalakrishnan. It's the second land parcel that Infosys is getting near Technopark here for setting up their own campus. The new land is being allotted in the proposed Technocity project coming up adjacent to the Technopark. The company already has a development centre set up in 50 acres. More than 4,000 IT professionals are currently working here. According to senior officials in the IT department, the company would be paying a price commensurate to the expenses government incurred for land acquisition. This would come around Rs 1 crore per acre. The agreement would be signed in the presence of CM Oommen Chandy and IT and industries minister P K Kunhalikutty after the weekly cabinet meeting here on Wednesday. As per the SEZ rules, any company that receives land should set up a minimum 10 lakh sq ft built up space in three years. Infosys is learnt to have promised to generate at least 10,000 job opportunities in its new campus. at Technocity. The expansion activities of the already existing campus would also continue. Technopark authorities have recently completed the land acquisition process for Technocity project and the Union ministry of commerce and industry has accorded SEZ status for 130 acres acquired for the project. (Times of India 3/4/12) Clearance for SEZ near Hubli may be given soon (4) HUBLI, April 4, 2012: The Union Government is considering giving clearance for the setting up of a special economic zone (SEZ) on information technology and IT-enabled services at Gamanagatti near Hubli. An assurance in this regard has been given by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma when Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi met him in New Delhi recently. In a release issued here, Mr. Joshi said that the Union Minister gave this assurance when they met during the budget session recently. It might be recalled that the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) is developing 12.15 hectares of land at Gamanagatti for a SEZ. Mr. Joshi said that the proposal had been pending before the Union Government for the last two years. He said that the SEZ Board of Approval of the Union Ministry of Commerce had approved the proposal at its meeting held on May 31, 2011. However, the Home Ministry's approval was essential and therefore the final approval was getting delayed. He said that he had requested Mr. Sharma to exempt the SEZ in Hubli from getting approval from the Home Ministry and

Mr. Sharma had assured him that he would issue the notification approving the SEZ soon. (The Hindu 4/4/12) Narmada dam: Govt acquires land for final rehabilit ation (4) Gandhinagar: The last major rehabilitation hurdle in increasing the height of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam from present 121 metres to 138 metres is likely to be crossed soon. For, the state government has completed the process of acquiring 400 hectors land in Nijar taluka of Tapi district for rehabilitating around 400 dam affected families along the Maharashtra border. Despite getting the environment clearance two years ago, the government is not getting permission to increase the height because there are around 400 families in Maharashtra who will be affected by the project. The Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Committee of the Narmada Control Authority (NCA) has asked to resolve the issue of these families to get the final clearance for increasing the dam height. S Jagdeesan, Managing Director, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL), told The Indian Express, “The government has acquired around 200 hectors land for the rehabilitation of the families to be displaced from Maharashtra. The process to acquire another 200 hectors non-tribal private land is likely to end in the next two months. And soon after that, we expect to start the rehabilitation of these families. Each family will be given one hector land and other facilities in Nijar taluka. The acquisition will cost the government around Rs 20 crore.” “We have also kept open the earlier compensation offer of Rs 10 lakh to those families who do not want to resettle in Gujarat,” he said, adding, after that they are expected to get the final clearance to raise the dam height to 138 metres. “Then we will be able to give water to all the planned (18 lakh hector) command area.” (Indian Express 6/4/12) CAG flays urban body for delay in IT SEZ project ( 4) VIJAYAWADA: In what could be a jolt to the development of the region, the Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali-Mangalagiri (VGTM) Urban Development Authority has failed to implement the IT Special Economic Zone project granted by the Centre within the stipulated time-frame. Indicting the UDA for its failure to take up the project on time, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) observed that there was neither clarity nor commitment among different government agencies to implement it. An IT SEZ was granted to VGTM UDA in 2007 at an estimated cost of Rs 880 crore. The Centre, however, asked the local body to complete the project within three years after granting licence. VGTM UDA wasted six months before inviting request for proposals (RFPs) in March 2008. Surprisingly, a letter of acceptance (LoA) was issued to a private firm in January 2009 after the expiry of the bid validity period and performance guarantee term. Citing the global downturn and the delay by the UDA in clearing approvals, the firm which won the bid refused to take up the project. "As the project was not implemented within the stipulated three years, the approval granted by the GoI for setting up the SEZ became invalid as per the SEZ rules," pointed out the CAG. The anticipated benefits of the proposed SEZ such as employment generation, overall development of the area and development of tier-II cities like Vijayawada as envisaged in the state government's IT policy could not be derived, it said. Curiously, the UDA blamed another government agency, APITCO, for the delay in preparing the blueprint for the project. The CAG also made adverse remarks on the functioning of the UDA in taking up developmental projects.(Times of India 6/4/12) Narmada dam: Govt acquires land for final rehabili tation (4) Gandhinagar: The last major rehabilitation hurdle in increasing the height of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam from present 121 metres to 138 metres is likely to be crossed soon. For, the state government has completed the process of acquiring 400 hectors land in Nijar taluka of Tapi district for rehabilitating around 400 dam affected families along the Maharashtra border. Despite getting the environment clearance two years ago, the government is not getting permission to increase the height because there are around 400 families in Maharashtra who will be affected by the project. The Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Committee of the Narmada Control Authority (NCA) has asked to resolve the issue of these families to get the final clearance for increasing the dam height. S Jagdeesan, Managing Director, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL), told The Indian Express, “The government has acquired around 200 hectors land for the rehabilitation of the families to be displaced from Maharashtra. The process to acquire another 200 hectors non-tribal private land is likely to end in the next two months. And soon after that, we expect to start the rehabilitation of these families. Each family will be given one hector land and other facilities in Nijar taluka. The acquisition will cost the government around Rs 20 crore.” “We have also kept open the earlier compensation offer of Rs 10 lakh to those families who do not want to resettle in Gujarat,” he said, adding, after that they are expected to get the final clearance to raise the dam height to 138 metres. “Then we will be able to give water to all the planned (18 lakh hector) command area.” (Indian Express 6/4/12)

Tribal land benefit law push to states (4) Hyderabad, April 7: Union tribal affairs minister V.K.C. Deo today regretted that several states were yet to implement the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act almost 16 years after it was passed to allow tribals forest land benefits. Deo, who also holds the panchayati raj portfolio, was speaking at an event to mark the launch of a rural development fellowship scheme here when he made this observation. “Fifteen years have lapsed since Pesa (the acronym for Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act) was enacted. I have visited most Pesa states. In many, the rules have not been made,” Deo said. The minister added that some states had misinterpreted the gram sabha concept and equated the gram panchayat meeting to the gram sabha. Deo said he had issued a circular saying that Pesa treats each village as a unit so each village meeting should be treated as a gram sabha, not just the gram panchayat meeting where representatives from several villages gather. Under Pesa, only a Scheduled Tribe can buy or take land on lease in any Fifth Schedule area, a place dominated by tribal presence. The act allows gram sabhas in Fifth Scheduled areas to decide by majority whether or not to allow land to be used for mining or other projects under that panchayat. The law, when passed in Parliament in 1996, extended panchayats to tribal areas of nine states — Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan. If any violation is reported, the act provides for restoring the land to the original owner. However, in the absence of Pesa rules, the gram sabhas have remained toothless in the face of plundering of forest land and resources by non-tribals. Only Madhya Pradesh and Andhra have notified the rules till now. (Telegraph 8/4/12) Odisha tribe to continue battle against Vedanta 're gardless of Supreme Court ruling' (4) Bhubaneswar, Apr 9 : The Indian tribal group Dongria Kondh, who have been struggling for years to preserve their ancestral lands from exploitation by British mining corporation Vedanta, has vowed to continue their fight irrespective of Supreme Court's decision today. The Supreme Court will decide today on an appeal by Vedanta against a ministerial decision in 2010 that stopped work at the site in the Niyamgiri hills of Odisha. An alliance of local tribes has now formed to defend the Dongria Khondh. According to The Guardian, Kumity Majhi, a leader of the Majhi Kondh adivasi, said local communities would stop the mining 'whether or not the supreme court favour us'. "We, the Majhi Kondh adivasis, will help our Dongria Kondh brothers in protecting the mountains," the paper quoted Majhi, as saying. The paper also quoted Lingaraj Azad, a leader of the Save Niyamgiri Committee, as saying that 'the Dongria Kondh's campaign was not just that of an isolated tribe for its customary rights over its traditional lands and habitats, but that of the entire world over protecting our natural heritage'. Vedanta, which wants the bauxite for an alumina refinery it has built near the hills, requires clearance under the country's forest and environmental laws. It had obtained provisional permission, but failed to satisfy laws protecting the forests and granting rights to local tribal groups. A government report accused the firm of violations of forest conservation, tribal rights and environmental protection laws in Orissa, a charge subsequently repeated by a panel of forestry experts. According to the report, the Supreme Court may decide to send the case to the newly constituted national green tribunal, a body of legal and technical experts, to consider once more. (ANI) (New Kerala 10/4/12) Land acquisition for expediting Narendra Nagar flyo ver soon (4) NAGPUR: In what could be termed as some good news for the residents who have to use the busy Narendra Nagar railway underbridge (RuB), the Maharashtra government on Friday informed that it would initiate land acquisition process within three days for expediting construction of Narendra Nagar flyover beside Coca Cola factory. The government's reply came before the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court which was hearing a PIL filed by Narendra Nagar resident Dr Sanjay Deotale who prayed for directions to the government to complete the flyover construction. A division bench of Justice Bhushan Dharmadhikari and Justice Prasanna Varale then disposed of the petitions, including the one filed by landowner Marotrao Kumbhalkar who opposed giving his land for the proposed bridge and asking for compensation as per Land Acquisition Act. Taking a serious cognizance of increasing number of accidents near Narendra Nagar RuB, the high court had directed the government to construct a flyover from old Coca Cola factory to Narendra Nagar, adjoining ring road and further asked it to divert heavy truck traffic from Wardha Road to Pardi Road through it. The government was supposed to complete the construction work in 2008-2009. However, it got stuck in various disputes as Kumbhalkar, one of the landowners having 33 acres of land through which flyover was supposed to pass, demanded that the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) should acquire his land as per the provisions of Land Acquisition Act. He also moved the high court for a stay in ongoing work. Earlier, government pleader Nitin Sambre informed that district collector, MSRDC and divisional commissioner would expedite the process of land

acquisition. Accordingly, PWD would send a proposal to the collector within three days. Subhash Paliwal and Raghvendra Joshi appeared for petitioners. Times of India 13/4/12) UP govt withdraws Tappal cases, says farmers innoc ent (4) Lucknow The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday decided to withdraw criminal cases against 24 farmers that were registered after the clash between farmers and police on August 14, 2010 at Tappal in Aligarh district. Three farmers and a police personnel were killed when a farmers’ protest over land acquisition turned violent. These cases were registered in Naujheel police station of Mathura district, neighbouring Aligarh. They were registered against farmers agitating against the arrest of their leader Ram Babu Kateliya. In an official press release, the state government said it has been found that these farmers were “innocent” and charges against them were “fake”. “The government is of the opinion that fake charges were framed by the district administration against the innocent farmers, who were agitating in Tappal,” said a spokesperson. “After an inquiry, the government found that the farmers were sitting on a peaceful protest but force was used against them and later criminal cases were also registered. This is in violation of public interest. The government is also of the opinion that the the violence during the protest does not come under a criminal act.” Kateliya told The Indian Express, “The previous government had promised to withdraw the cases. Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh had assured me... but nothing happened. So when the new government was formed, we submitted our demands. We are thankful to it.” (Indian Express 14/4/12) Kurmimal villagers await second displacement (4) KURMIMAL (JHARSUGUDA): They were displaced once during construction of the Hirakud dam project and now after 55 years, they are awaiting another displacement. This time by Ind-Barath Energy (Utkal) Limited (IBEUL) at Sahajbahal in Lakhanpur block of the district. Kurmimal village under Lakhanpur block is situated on the banks of Hirakud dam reservoir (HDR). Three sides of the village are surrounded by reservoir’s water while 150 acres of agricultural land, owned by the Gountia family (village headman), is to the west of the village. The 70 landless families, mostly tribals and Dalits, are dependant on these 150 acres for their livelihood. They take the land on lease and cultivate it to make both ends meet. However, the legal heirs and other family members of the Gountia family have reportedly sold the entire land to IBEUL in a bid to earn easy bucks. As a result, uncertainty looms large over their fate. It is learnt that the then Gountia of Rampela, Satrughan Panda, had resettled the displaced families of Rampela and Dihupada at Kurmimal after their houses were submerged during construction of the reservoir. He had also leased out his land to the villagers, so that they do not have to face more hardship. Today, however, they are back to square one and unsure of their livelihood after the land is acquired. Hira Bhoi of the village said except two families, all others in the village are landless. While some are into cultivation on the leased land, others manage by fishing in the HDR. “But fish population too has come down drastically over the years,” he said. With IBEUL officials paying little heed to their plight, the villagers are now gearing up to oppose the company’s proposal for an ash pond over the land. (NIE 14/4/12) Hearing in Tata challenge to Singur Act concludes ( 4) Kolkata: The hearing of the arguments on the appeal filed by Tata Motors challenging the Singur Land Development and Rehabilitation Act concluded on Wednesday. The Division Bench of Calcutta High Court, headed by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, asked the counsels of all the parties to file written notes of arguments within two weeks. The High Court will deliver the verdict after that. The state government had introduced the Singur Land Development and Rehabilitation Act in June 2011 to take over the land at Singur from the possession of the Tata Motors. According to the Act, a portion of the land would be returned to the unwilling farmers who did not receive the cheque for compensation. The Tata Motors moved the High Court challenging the Act on the ground that it was unconstitutional and the action of the state government to take over the possession of the land was illegal. In September 2011, Justice I P Mukherji held the Singur Act constitutional. Following which, the Tata Motors and several vendors of the Tata small car project filed several appeals challenging the verdict of the single bench. The hearing of the appeal began in November 2011. (Indian Express 19/4/12) Panel wants change in key sections of Land Acquisit ion Bill (4) New Delhi, April 21: The United Progressive Alliance Government may face some new trouble. The Parliamentary panel on rural development, led by the BJP leader, Ms Sumitra Mahajan, is learnt to have unanimously decided to either do away with or amend Sections 97, 98 and 99 of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011. The panel's report is likely to be presented on May 12. Some political parties as well as activists have criticised the “controversial” Sections contained in the Bill.

Section 97 states that the provisions of the Bill shall not be in derogation of any other law in force. Sub-section (1) of Section 98 says that the provisions of the Bill shall not apply to the enactments relating to land acquisition specified in the Bill's Fourth Schedule. The Fourth Schedule of the Bill has 16 Acts, including the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958; the Atomic Energy Act, 1962; the Cantonments Act, 2006; the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978; the National Highways Act, 1956; the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005; the Railways Act, 1989 and the Works of Defence Act, 1903. Sub section (1) of Section 99 empowers the Union Government to amend or alter any of the schedules of this Bill by a notification. “Members are of the opinion that if these Acts are removed, just five per cent of the land acquisition will come under the purview of the Bill. Most of the land acquisitions are taking place in mine, power and other infrastructure sectors,” a member in the panel said. The member also said that sub section (1) of Section 99 weakens the Bill. “If Centre can amend the Act by a notification, then what is the purpose of bringing in such an important legislation in Parliament?” he asked. (Business Line 21/4/12) Singur feels even Naxals a better option (4) Singur: Less than a year ago, Shyamali Das, 47, had named her grandson Parivartan on the back of a pro-change wave Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee successfully created to dislodge the Left Front from power. But today Das, like many others, is a bitter person. “What change? If anything has changed at all, it is for the Trinamool and its leaders,” said Das, a dispossessed farmer in Singur, where the West Bengal government had acquired land for the Tata group to build the Nano plant. The project fell through because of the agitation spearheaded by Banerjee. “We threw out the CPI(M) (the leading party in the Left Front) for good. Now the Trinamool Congress too should be taught a lesson. There should be a third force to vote for – the Congress, the SUCI(C) or maybe even the naxalites. Otherwise we will not vote in the coming panchayat polls.”Though the West Bengal government pushed through legislation on returning land, the Tata group has moved a division bench of the Calcutta high court on this, challenging the move. Banerjee, who visited Singur 38 times between 2006 and 2011, has not gone there once after becoming chief minister. Bitterness is in the air in Singur now. “All our dreams are shattered. Those leaders who spent days and nights with us are now beyond our reach,” said Devidas Dutta, a dispossessed farmer who now works for a small snacks shop near Singur railway station. The railways gave 16 such shops on its land to some dispossessed farmers of Singur in 2009, when Banerjee took charge of the ministry. Only three shops of the 16 open nowadays. The rest never started working. The railways also gifted Rs.5,000 to each of the recipients to start their business. Of the three, one is owned by Manoranjan Malik, the father of Tapasi Malik, who was killed during the anti-acquisition movement. Tusharkanti Shit, also a dispossessed farmer and owner of a snack shop, said: “We were promised return of land as soon as the Trinamool came to power. Nobody warned us about any legal complexities.” Local Trinamool leaders had given a proposal that all party MLAs and MPs donate a day’s salary to the dispossessed farmers. But it was not carried through. (Hindustan Times 22/4/12) Many wastelands turned into cropland: Study (4) New Delhi: When West Bengal was trying to put agriculture land to industrial use triggering the Nandigram and Singur protests, several other states were converting their wastelands into cropland, forests and forest plantations, a government study said on Wednesday. In total, 3.2 million hectares of wasteland in India was put to good use (see box), according to the National Remote Sensing Centre data. A large chunk of this was converted to cropland (1.3 million hectares) and plantations, where agriculture and horticulture activities are in progress. Rajasthan, Gujarat and Bihar topped in this category. Against the 3.2 million hectares of wasteland that was converted, the increase in total wasteland was 2.7 million hectares, reducing the net gain to 0.5 millionhectares. Releasing the Wastelands Atlas of India brought out by Department of Land Resources, rural development minister Jairam Ramesh said a slight increase in wasteland area was recorded in states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Uttarakhand. The increase in wasteland is attributed to snow cover, glacial action, waterlogging, marshy lands and cropland rendered useless by floods. “Though some natural events resulted in loss of useful land, government schemes such as drought areas programmes and Integrated Watershed Development Programme have resulted in building of numerous water bodies, leading to more green pastures and cultivable lands,” Dr Shyam Sunder, principal scientist, NRSC told HT. (Hindustan Times 25/4/12) Government nod for Rs 40.51cr award for Mopa land ( 4) PANAJI: While the government has approved a total compensation package of Rs 40.51 crore for those whose land has been acquired for the proposed Mopa international airport, it has already disbursed Rs 8.75 crore to about 397 persons in five villages. Sources said the highest amount and the most number of

persons disbursed compensation are in Mopa village-202 persons have been paid Rs 5.11 crore. In Chandel village 102 persons have received Rs 1.57 crore; in Uguem 67 persons have got Rs.22 crore; in Casarvarnem it's Rs 23.06 lakh to 21 persons and in Varkhand five persons have received Rs 60.23 lakh. The special land acquisition officer for Mopa airport, M K Vasta told TOI that where the ownership title is clear the government has issued cheques to pay the compensation. Affected persons are still submitting documentary evidence to prove their ownership of the land and Vasta said the government is processing about 200 claims right now. The rate of compensation for tenanted land has been fixed at 25 per sq m plus 30% solacium charges according to the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. Besides, the government is paying 12% interest from the date of notification till the award was passed. For tenanted land, the rate comes up to about 40 per sq m. For untenanted land, the basic rate is 40 per sq m plus 30% solacium and 12% interest. It adds up to about 65 per sq m. Sources said the BJP government is considering enhancing the rate of compensations as promised prior to the elections. On Monday, the state government gave its in-principle approval to the master plan of the proposed Mopa airport. It will give its final approval, after studying the plan, within 10 to 12 days, chief minister Manohar Parrikar had said. He had also said that tentatively, global tenders for the Mopa airport would be floated by September-end. The government has already taken into possession land admeasuring 51,01,274 sq m in six villages. Among them, Amberem is all government-owned land and all the acquired land has been transferred to the acquiring department-transport. Of the total 74,99,440 sq m sought to be acquired, 23,77,121 sq m is caught up in litigation. Villagers from three villages have filed a writ petition in the high court challenging the government's land acquisition. Due to this, land in three villages has not been acquired-Chandel (5,21,045 sq m), Varkhand (12,64,835 sq m) and Casarvarnem (5,91,241 sq m). The high court has given an interim order saying that the survey numbers which are the subject matter of the writ petition shall not be taken into possession till the case is decided. The case is at the stage of judgment and order, which is expected shortly. (Times of India 27/4/12) Odisha asks Posco to start welfare work (4) Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar: A couple of months after Posco-India complained about the state developing cold feet towards acquisition of land for the company’s proposed 12 billion dollar steel plant near Paradip, billed as the country’s largest FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) project, an angry Odisha government has said that it has done its bit and the steel maker now should match up by starting welfare work in the available land to gain the confidence of the local people. Posco needs about 4,004 acre land for its 12 million tonne steel plant, which includes 2,959 acre of forest land, 608 acre of non-forest land and 437 acre of private land, all stretched over eight villages. Out of this, the government has already acquired about 2,000 acres. But Posco has said, it can start work on the first phase of the project if only it is provided another 700 acres and an approach road to the project site. “Every possible effort has been made by government of Odisha to complete the process of handing over the balance required land. The activities of administration such as betel vine demolition, tree cutting, demolition of prawn ponds should be accompanied by the activities of Posco-India, viz, construction of rehabilitation colony, providing alternative employment to the landless betel vine laborers and construction of surge protection wall,” said a letter sent by the state steel and mines department to the forest and environment department on Apr 25. Though Posco has taken up some Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in the project area by providing free health camps and few other sundry activities, the government contended that the Korean steel company should start some construction work to make the rest of the land acquisition hassle free and to gain the confidence of the supporters. For example, the displaced families of Noliasahi village who cooperated fully have not been provided with any alternative livelihood nor any rehabilitation benefits till date despite several requests, the letter mentioned. While a total of 447 families are earmarked to be displaced for the project, Noliasahi is the only village within the site that is going to be completely displaced. Besides, the villagers have never agitated against moving out for the steel plant. The government further said, though large extent of forest land of 1,600 acre have been cleared along with the tidal river of Jatadhar, Posco has not come forward to construct the surge protection wall on the river bank, which is mandatory under stage two approval received from the union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) in May 2011. However, the forest license is under suspension now after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) last month ordered for a fresh environment impact study for entire 12 million tonne plant and not for four million tonne which is to be constructed in the first phase. The suspension of the license bars the company from going ahead with project construction work, but there is no restriction on building rehabilitation colony or the surge protection wall. (Business Standard 1/5/12) High court: Pay interest on amount due in land acqu isition (4) PANAJI: Holding that the comunidade of Pilerne is entitled to interest on amount due in a land acquisition

case, the high court of Bombay at Goa has ordered that a copy of the judgment be sent to the chief secretary so that in future appropriate steps are taken to avoid liability to pay interest. "In the present case, liability to pay the amount by way of interest under Section 34 of the Land Acquisition Act on the part of the state government has arisen on account of the fact that the land acquisition officer (LAO) did not think it appropriate to deposit the compensation in the reference court but kept it under revenue deposit," a division bench comprising justice AP Lavande, and justice UV Bakre observed. The case pertains to an award passed in 1993 for acquisition of land measuring 2,90,350 sq m for setting up an industrial estate. The LAO awarded the entire compensation in favour of Pilerne comunidade, but did not disburse it on grounds that lands allotted to tenants had not been demarcated and surveyed separately in their names and that the tenants' names were not removed from survey records. The high court noted that in terms of Section 31(2) of the act, the LAO should have deposited the compensation in the reference court, once he decided not to release the compensation in favour of the comunidade. Had he done so, the government would not have been liable to pay the comunidade the amount denied, the bench stated. The high court further observed, "We, therefore, deem it appropriate to send a copy of the judgment to chief secretary, so that in future the LAOs dealing with such cases take appropriate steps and deposit the compensation payable in the reference court thereby avoiding liability of the state government to pay the interest. We expect the chief secretary to circulate a copy of the judgment to all the LAOs".In 2001, the government ordered payment of compensation to Pilerne comunidade after it proved it had clear title in respect of the land. The comunidade, under protest, accepted the compensation amount of 39,94,106 on March 15, 2002 by stating that it was entitled to interest on it. Subsequently, the comunidade approached the additional district court, which passed an order in the comunidade's favour. Later, the state government appealed before the high court challenging the additional district judge's judgment passed in 2006. (Times of India 4/5/12) Land Acquisition Bill will hurt industries, dams, s ays Pawar (4) Mumbai: Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Saturday expressed reservations about the new Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011, saying it would in particular pose hurdles in setting up industries and creating new dams. The Bill was cleared by the Union cabinet in September and has now been sent to the joint legislative committee. Quoting provisions of the Bill, such as the promise to pay five times the market price of land acquired, returning 20 per cent developed land to the owner and job guarantee for next 20 years, Pawar said that the Bill would hamper development work in the country and state. The Bill also provides that there should be 70 per cent consent of land owners for the acquisition and the state can step in for the remaining 30 percent. Pawar, who had earlier pointed out lacunae in the Food Security bill proposed by the UPA government, said, “New projects contribute to state development. If the new land acquisition bill is passed, it will not let any industry or dams come up. I was the only one who opposed the Bill and I know that it will be passed in the Parliament as well. No new projects will come up,” said Pawar. He said that he was worried about the slowdown in development due to this Bill and had expressed his opinion in the cabinet. He was speaking at a special seminar at the state legislature. He spoke on a range of issues including coalition politics, the need to set aside growing regionalism, state of food production in the country and the need for Mumbai’s growth. Pawar said that coalition politics was here to stay and there was no wishing it away. He said that running a coalition government is an “art” and regional and political aspirations should not hurt government. “Regional division needs to be curtailed. When I go to Sangola to study the drought situation, people from Amravati call and complain that I’m paying attention to only one region,” said Pawar. He said that during the eight years in the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, he had not had a single point of disagreement with the PM. “We work by taking everyone into confidence. If I take a different stand, like about cotton exports, onion, sugar, it is respected and addressed. We had a meeting on these issues and the issues were resolved in one hour,” said Pawar. Pawar said migrants have contributed to the state’s growth and development. “We also need to remember that Maharashtrians are living in other parts of the country,” he said. He added that a new green revolution was being seen in the eastern part of the country through paddy cultivation but Maharashtra has to worry as it was not producing enough grain even to meet its own needs. (Indian Express 6/5/12) Tipeshwar villagers will be rehabilitated in two ye ars: Pravin Pardesi (4) YAVATMAL: Principal secretary of state forest department Pravin Pardesi on Monday reiterated that the Tipeshwar village in the wildlife sanctuary situated 80km away from the city would be rehabilitated in two years. He was talking to the media persons in Yavatmal en route to Tipeshwar where he will have one-to-one dialogue with the affected people. "It's my first visit to the sanctuary. I will talk to the villagers and explain the proposals to rehabilitate them honourably. There would be no use of force of any kind upon the tribals and their constitutional rights over the jungle would not be challenged," he said. "In their gram

sabha meeting the villagers have passed a resolution to shift to a safer place outside the sanctuary and agreed to accept the Rs 10 lakh compensation package (per family)," he said "It was a lapse on the part of the state government as the rehabilitation process should have been started much earlier as Tipeshwar got sanctuary status 37 years ago," he admittedPardesi informed that the state government has chalked out a number of programmes to safeguard the human life and property besides protecting the wild animals. "Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has personally taken interest in the matter of wildlife sanctuaries and allotted Rs 50,000 per year to each divisional forest officer to grant instant financial reward to the informer of poaching and smuggling of valuable woods. Each informer would be given Rs 4,000-5,000 from the fund for tip-off," he said. "Another major decision is to introduce satellite remote sensing equipment to identify the illegal activities by the jungle mafias in the protected areas," he said, adding, "The proposals for increasing the territorial limit of all the tiger projects has also been accepted by the government and would be implemented shortly." While replying a question as to why there is an alarming decline of tiger population in the sanctuaries of Vidarbha, Pardesi said, "There are 43 sanctuaries in the state which have a tiger population of 169 and about 240 villages are affected by these sanctuaries. The conflict between man and animal and falling prey base are the two main reasons for the decline of tiger number in the Vidarbha forests." On the ever growing tree felling and smuggling from the forest and revenue land by mafias, Pardesi said, "I would look into it. No one will be spared if found guilty." Additional principal chief conservator of forests AK Saxena, CCF Pench Tiger Project Ashraf Arakkal and Yavatmal CCF Girish Tyagi were present during the press briefing. (Times of India 8/5/12) Delay in land acquisition at Sathwa may stop funds inflow (4) VARANASI: More delay in the process of land acquisition for two sewage treatment plants at Sathwa may pose threat to stopping the funding by some agencies.It's worth mentioning here that under the Ganga Action Plan phase-II, the creation of a treatment plant by the UP Jal Nigam's Ganga Pollution Control unit was proposed at Sathwa. The land acquisition department was given Rs 3545.35 lakh to acquire 43.537 hectare land of 408 farmers in 2010-11. However, due to the protest of farmers, this process could not be completed so far.According to Ramesh Singh, general manager of Ganga Pollution unit of UPJN, initially in 2003, one STP of 120 mld, sanctioned under Jawahar Lal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) was proposed at Sathwa. But, later, the UPJN decided to establish another STP of 140 mld capacity, funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), at the same site, he added.He said that if the land acquisition process had completed two years back, the STP sanctioned under JNNURM could be completed by 2013 as major part of sewage pipeline laying project in trans-Varuna had been completed and remaining work would be completed by 2014. The project being funded by JICA was sanctioned in 2010. Under it, he said, a sewage pumping station had also to be constructed at Chawkaghat. He said that if this project would not complete by 2015, the JICA can stop funding to the project. He said that to avoid this situation, the JICA funded project can be transferred to Dinapur, where spare land can be utilized for establishing another STP of 140 mld with changed technology. He said that shifting this STP would become a must, the UPJN would start process for getting sanction of Government of India for change in technology. (Times of India 9/5/12) ‘Drop move to evict residents of Siddharameshwar Na gar' (4) HUBLI, May 11, 2012: The Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) and the Siddharameshwar Nagar Kolache Nivasigala Horata Samiti have urged the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation to immediately drop the move to evict residents of Siddharameshwar Nagar without providing proper rehabilitation. Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, district secretary of the SUCI (C) Ramanjanappa Aldalli, president of the Siddharameshwar Dalit Seva Sangha Vasu Lamani and office-bearers of the samiti, including Praveen Chauhan, Balappa Doddamani and Basavaraj Talawar, alleged that the corporation was in a hurry to evict the residents without complying with the High Court direction to provide rehabilitation. Mr. Aldalli said that the Dharwad Circuit Bench, in its order dated February 21, 2011, had clearly said that till alternative arrangements were made to rehabilitate the residents, they should not be evicted from their sheds/huts. “In fact, the court had directed the HDMC Commissioner to convene a meeting of all officials, the Mayor, councillors of the area, and elected representatives to take steps to rehabilitate the residents in six months. But, now the corporation is trying to evict the residents without rehabilitating them,” he said. Mr. Aldalli said that despite the court direction, the corporation had not conducted any meeting to identify land suitable for rehabilitation and had violated the order by passing a resolution in the municipal council meeting on providing a ‘gaothana' (village site) land meant for farmers of Amaragol. “It is really sad that the officials didn't even know on what basis a ‘gaothana' land can be allotted to the Siddharameshwar Nagar residents,” he said. “In 1995 and 1996, the corporation itself had passed an order against evicting residents and had recommended that the Karnataka Slum Clearance

Board to take up development of Siddharameshwar Nagar, but now it seems to have forgotten that,” residents, including Vasu Lamani and Basavaraj Talawar, pointed out. Mr. Aldalli said that the locality had officially been declared a slum and at a time when development works were supposed to be taken up, the corporation was trying to evict them. He said the residents would be forced to stage protests if the corporation failed to protect their interests. Meanwhile, the Additional Senior Civil judge of Hubli has temporarily restrained the corporation from dispossessing, evicting or destroying huts/sheds belonging to residents of Siddharameshwar Nagar slum till May 21. (The Hindu 11/5/12) Unions to dangle land right carrot in tea belt (4) Siliguri, May 14: The tea garden wings of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and an Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad faction led by John Barla have decided to carry out a campaign among workers in the Terai and Dooars, highlighting that they will be provided with land rights if the plains are brought under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. The campaign will be spearheaded by the Joint Action Committee comprising the Terai Dooars Plantation Labour Union, and the Progressive Tea Workers’ Union, an affiliate of the Parishad. Barla is the chairman of the committee. The Parishad union is largely pro-Barla, even after he was expelled from the outfit by the state leadership. “The Left Front had been ruling the state for more than three decades and it didn’t do anything to give land rights to the tea garden dwellers. Even after the Trinamul Congress came to power, the workers continue to live in pathetic conditions. Although forest dwellers were given secured land rights, the tea garden labourers are still deprived of the same,” said Suraj Subba, the general secretary of the Terai Dooars Union, an affiliate of the Morcha. Subba said the garden workers in the Terai and Dooars would be given land rights if the areas were included in the GTA. “We (Morcha and Parishad unions) will launch a campaign among the garden workers, telling them that the Morcha bargained for the tauzi department’s inclusion in the list of subjects to be handled by the GTA specifically for the objective of handing them land rights. Giving land rights to the workers will be the priority of the GTA,” he said. The two outfits felt the need to launch such a campaign after failing to win the support of majority of the adivasis, who form a major chunk of the garden workforce in the plains, for the inclusion of the Terai and Dooars in the GTA. “The adivasis have shunned Barla and others batting for the GTA in the plains till now. The Morcha and Barla now feel that they can draw a good number of the adivasis if they highlight the issue of land rights,” said an observer. Morcha today overruled an agreement signed by its tea trade union, which stated that labourers would have to put in eight hours of work a day. Roshan Giri, general secretary said: “We do not agree with the new conditions and we want the old system to be continued.” According to the old system, the one-hour lunch break was included in the eight hours work. That means the labourers had to put in only seven hours of work a day. (Telegraph 15/5/12) State role in land acquisition cannot be wished awa y: Ramesh (4) NEW DELHI: Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh rejected a parliamentary panel's recommendation to blank out the state from any role in acquiring land for private sector, saying such a situation may not be possible in the present times. Ramesh told TOI, "The state will have to have a role in acquiring land (for private sector) but what that role is to be, can be discussed." The remark came after the parliamentary panel headed by Sumitra Mahajan on Thursday rejected any state intervention to acquire land for pro-profit private bodies, even public private partnership projects. The report on 'land acquisition amendment bill' goes against the spirit of RD ministry's draft tabled in Parliament in September last year which sought to facilitate acquisition for private sector by ensuring better compensation. Ramesh said, "I still feel that the bill prepared by the ministry is more balanced - the need for equity in land acquisition balanced with the need to acquire land for faster industrialization and urbanization." The reaction indicates that the Centre may prefer to dump or dilute the blackout of state-industry relationship over land. Industry has repeatedly argued against the growing sentiment to push governments out as mediator/facilitator in corporates' search for land, a view in sync with many political parties. However, Trinamool Congress's view on the issue is closer to that of the Mahajan panel. Observers are apprehensive that the panel's report may give a strong handle to civil society which argues that governments are misusing their powers under the Land Acquisition Act to benefit industry at the cost of farmers. Recent examples from Uttar Pradesh have corroborated their claims. While few parties may go along with the panel's "extreme" view, which Ramesh dubbed as "Left of Left of Centre", the standing committee has raised the prospect of BJP making a political opposition to pile on the troubles of UPA. The principal opposition may be tempted to reinforce the perception of policy logjam by blocking the UPA's flagship poll promise. Ramesh was categorical when asked for his opinion. "We will study the report and the bill will be brought in the monsoon session of Parliament. But everyone will agree that industrialization and urbanization are both desirable and inevitable," he said. (New Kerala 17/5/12)

Maharashtra CM plans new model for special economi c zones (4) MUMBAI: The state government plans a fresh package for developers, who intend to withdraw from notified special economic zones (SEZs) and investors. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said on Thursday that the land acquired for such SEZs could be used to develop small industrial townships equipped with all facilities and infrastructure. Chavan said the option of developing such land through the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) was being considered as part of the new industrial policy, which, he said, was in the final stages of formulation. "Various concessions in taxes and charges could be made applicable to such regions, under the small industrial township policy, making them an attractive option for industrial investment," he added. The chief minister announced the new plan during a round table conference with leading industrialists on "Maharashtra". The conference was organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. While more than 145 SEZs had been proposed in the state, but with developers facing constraints over land acquisition and withdrawal of certain tax concessions, only 17 have been rendered functional so far. While 26 others have been denotified, the other 119 have seen little progress. Earlier this month, Chavan had discussed the fate of denotified SEZ land with Union commerce minister Anand Sharma, while pushing for attractive tax concessions to retain other notified SEZs. Interacting with the industrialists, Chavan said the new industrial policy would be holistic, transparent and attractive. He further said that, "We may accord priority to small and medium-scale industrial units in a bid to push for balanced industrial development. The state already offers several incentives for mega projects. Claiming that the union government was firm on introduction of the direct tax code." He added that the state was an ideal investment option since it offered an ideal environment, high quality manpower, and excessively using e-governance. Denying reports questioning his decision making skills, Chavan then went on to clear the air over various alleged corruption cases in the state. Reiterating that these were related to decisions made in the past, Chavan attributed the Right to Information (RTI) Act, corporate war in the media, and role played by the judiciary for bringing these in public limelight. He said that he had been focusing on improving transparency in decision making. (New Kerala 18/5/12) State role in land acquisition cannot be wished aw ay: Ramesh (4) NEW DELHI: Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh rejected a parliamentary panel's recommendation to blank out the state from any role in acquiring land for private sector, saying such a situation may not be possible in the present times. Ramesh told TOI, "The state will have to have a role in acquiring land (for private sector) but what that role is to be, can be discussed." The remark came after the parliamentary panel headed by Sumitra Mahajan on Thursday rejected any state intervention to acquire land for pro-profit private bodies, even public private partnership projects. The report on 'land acquisition amendment bill' goes against the spirit of RD ministry's draft tabled in Parliament in September last year which sought to facilitate acquisition for private sector by ensuring better compensation. Ramesh said, "I still feel that the bill prepared by the ministry is more balanced - the need for equity in land acquisition balanced with the need to acquire land for faster industrialization and urbanization." The reaction indicates that the Centre may prefer to dump or dilute the blackout of state-industry relationship over land. Industry has repeatedly argued against the growing sentiment to push governments out as mediator/facilitator in corporates' search for land, a view in sync with many political parties. However, Trinamool Congress's view on the issue is closer to that of the Mahajan panel. Observers are apprehensive that the panel's report may give a strong handle to civil society which argues that governments are misusing their powers under the Land Acquisition Act to benefit industry at the cost of farmers. Recent examples from Uttar Pradesh have corroborated their claims. While few parties may go along with the panel's "extreme" view, which Ramesh dubbed as "Left of Left of Centre", the standing committee has raised the prospect of BJP making a political opposition to pile on the troubles of UPA. The principal opposition may be tempted to reinforce the perception of policy logjam by blocking the UPA's flagship poll promise. Ramesh was categorical when asked for his opinion. "We will study the report and the bill will be brought in the monsoon session of Parliament. But everyone will agree that industrialization and urbanization are both desirable and inevitable," he said. (Times of India 18/5/12) New land bill will facilitate economic growth: Ram esh (4) New Delhi, May 18 : The new land acquisition bill would facilitate economic growth and not depress investor sentiment, Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh Friday said and hoped that the legislation will be introduced during the monsoon session of parliament. Addressing mediapersons a day after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on rural development gave its report on the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Bill, 2011, Ramesh said he would go back to the cabinet for

"final approval after incorporating suggestions we find acceptable." The bill was introduced in parliament in September and was referred to the standing committee. Ramesh said he intends to have another round of consultations with the states before giving final shape to the reworked bill, and added that the new bill will help in reviving economic growth and "not depressing investor sentiment." "We hope to introduce it sometime in the monsoon session for consideration and passage," Ramesh said. Outlining "core principles" of the bill, Ramesh said the government must have a role in land acquisition and faster industrialisation and urbanisation were inevitable and desirable. "We must recognise, we are not at a stage of development where the government's role can be completely abandoned," Ramesh said. However, he added that the government's role must be confined to public purposes which should be clearly defined. He added that public purpose objectives can be met by government organisations and, at times, by private organisations. "There can be areas where the government consciously seeks private investment. Power plants, infrastructure projects are examples," he said. The standing committee had questioned the involvement of the government in acquiring land for private enterprises, public-private partnership (PPP) enterprises and even public enterprises, and said "public purpose" in the bill should be limited to linear infrastructure and irrigation. Ramesh, however, said that the issue of government acquiring land for PPP projects had found favour with the cabinet. He said much depended on the definition of private projects and its conditions. The minister said chief ministers and political parties were in substantial agreement on the need for government intervention to acquire land for PPP projects. Ramesh said compensation must be equitably fair to those whose land is acquired and those whose livelihood is affected. He said procedure of acquisition must be transparent and should not be such that leads to endless litigations. He said state governments had made suggestions to the standing committee and he would endeavour to incorporate all these suggestions. "At a time when investment is uncertain and economic growth under pressure, we need a new (land acquisition) law quickly to end the uncertainty," he said. The land acquisition process is at present carried out under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. (New Kerala 19/5/12) Centre for land acquisition for private parties (4 ) NEW DELHI: With a Parliamentary panel making a number of proposals that raised the hackles of the industry, government will re-draft the Land Acquisition bill accepting some of its suggestions but is determined to reject the recommendation for not acquiring land for private parties. Highly placed sources in the Rural Development Ministry said it will not be feasible to ignore some of the provisions in the original Bill such as those dealing with acquisition of land by the government for private business. The Ministry will incorporate these provisions again in the fresh legislation which will be placed before Parliament in the coming monsoon session. Enough arguments will be given in their support before it is presented to the cabinet for approval, they said. The earlier bill on land acquisition was introduced in parliament in the monsoon session last year but was referred to the Standing Committee for its recommendations. The Standing Committee on Rural Development had in its report recommended that the government should not acquire land for private businesses and stressed on a clearer definition of "public purpose" in this regard. The Committee headed by BJP MP Sumitra Mahajan had wondered why the country should persist with the "anomalous" practice of procuring land for private enterprises, PPP enterprises and even public enterprises. "The Committee had agreed with most of our points and these will incorporated in the new Bill the way they are but we cannot change some of the points such as the one dealing with private business", the sources added. Expressing his disagreement with the Parliament Committee recommendation on this issue, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh had yesterday said that private companies also often serve public interest. "The public purpose can at times be met by government organisations and at times these are met even by private companies also. The notion that private companies serve only private interest is not something that I believe in," Ramesh had told reporters. Differing with the Committee's suggestions, Ramesh had also said its recommendations are not binding on the government but it is a practice to accept them. He also gave examples of airports, power plants and infrastructure projects built by private players in support of his view. (NIE 20/5/12) Koyna oustees face displacement again, thanks to B alganga project (4) Moreshwarwadi (Maharashtra), May 21, 2012: Moreshwarwadi is small settlement of 13 houses on a height and all the families were displaced by the Koyna dam. Most of the people earn a living in Mumbai but More, a former police patil and some other families live here. “When the Koyna dam was built in 1960, we didn't want to move, they offered us some land in Pandharpur but it was not suitable. I had 12 acres of land and the government paid me Rs. 120 for only three acres, at Rs. 40 an acre. I came here since some of my relatives were around and eight of us bought land as shareholders,” says More. He sold his wife's jewellery to buy new land here and eight of them own about 29 acres and 22 ghuntas. Land

acquisition notices came for the second time in January to More and the others stating that the government plans to acquire their land for the Balganga project. The experience of Koyna has left all the families embittered. “We got nothing from the government and we lost everything,” says Radhabai More. “Now we have to move again. Where we are going to move,” she asks. The Koyna project-affected people bought land here but things were not easy for them. There was a conflict between the local Katkaris and Thakurs amid allegations of land grabbing and it was a major issue in those days, according to local activists. Some of the land had to be returned to the tribals after protests. The prospect of looking for a new home is daunting for the 69-year-old More and others. “The government must give us land for land. I will only go to heaven from here otherwise,” he says. The villagers have filed objections again to the notices of the land acquisition. Of the 307 families settled in this region from Koyna, 13 families in Moreshwarwadi and 75 families in Dawdani village will be displaced, clarified activist Surekha Dalvi. While these families face a second displacement, landless tribals in Karoti too are worried about their future. Saduram Waghmare from Karoti says the entire village will be submerged. “I grow vegetables on the river bank and sell them for a living. Otherwise we work for daily wages at brick kilns. Most of us are tenant farmers and 80 per cent of the Katkaris in the village are landless,” he says. The government has no plans to give land for land and there is a rehabilitation plan aimed at providing people with houses. Sandeeep Patil of the Shramik Kranti Sanghatana from Gagode (budruk) village says the government has sent notices to acquire about 13 hectares of private land for rehabilitation purposes in the village. Gagode village, the birthplace of Vinoba Bhave, is a gramdan village and under the Maharashtra Gramdan Act, 1964, land cannot be acquired from a village which is a designated gramdan village like Gagode. There are no individual rights to land here and it is a community resource, he points out. The Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation (KIDC), which is executing the Balganga project, one of the 68 dams in the Konkan region, is under fire for unjustified cost escalations and for not having a proper rehabilitation plan in place, apart from not securing legal permissions to build a dam. Defending the cost escalation in Balganga, which is now pegged above Rs. 1,000 crore, a senior KIDC official said the cost increased because of controlled blasting at the dam site as opposed to open blasting, which was objected to by local people. Crucially, the flood value or the discharge from the river in a worst case scenario or a one-in-100-year flood was less as per calculations, when the project was first proposed. After the final design was submitted by the State-owned Central Designs Organisation at Nashik, the flood value had doubled and from four gates in the dam, an extra two gates had to be added, plus other features, which hiked the cost, he says. Himanshu Thakkar of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) asks why the design was not properly done in the first phase. “The cost escalations are happening in so many dams around Mumbai and this looks like a scam. Most of the dams are being built by the same contractor and if these design calculations were done accurately in the first place, the project may have not been viable at the outset. Even mandatory clearances like in-principal approval from the Ministry of Environment and Forests have not been sought for some of these dams,” he pointed out. While there is no transparency about the rehabilitation plan, the KIDC says 13 villages will be submerged by the Balganga project and the people will be resettled at seven places. Land acquisition for resettlement was under way at five places. The final award for the land was still pending, the official said. But he did not state what price would be paid per hectare to the farmers. City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), which is funding the dam, is yet to approve the cost increase from the initial Rs. 488 crore. However, the KIDC official clarified that the dam would not store water till the rehabilitation of villages was completed and so the proposed date of completion — 2014 could be altered accordingly. (The Hindu 21/5/12) Land value must be based on market rate: Parliament panel (4) MUMBAI: The standing committee of Parliament for the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 has recommended that land value should be based on market value. The report was submitted to Parliament last week. The committee has recommended that the government (state ) should constitute a multi-member land pricing commission or authority to finalize the cost of land acquisition state-wise or area-wise. Also, 12% interest per annum should be paid. The bill recommends that the value of assets such as trees, plants, buildings is to be included in the land value and the total amount multiplied by two to get the compensation amount. The bill recommends 100% solatium over and above the compensation amount which has been accepted by the committee. The word solatium derives from 'solace' to compensate for the suffering of displacement. The cost of acquisition includes demurrage to be paid for damages caused to the land and standing crops in the process of acquisition, cost of acquisition of land and building for settlement of displaced families, cost of infrastructure development and amenities at the resettlement area among others. While the bill recommends that acquired land which is left unutilized for 10 years should be returned to the land bank or the government, the committee

has recommended that the period should be reduced to five years and if left unutilized, it should be returned to the land owners. Compensation is not restricted to only land owners but is to be given to all those who indirectly earned a livelihood from it by virtue of being employed there. A senior Union cabinet minister from Maharashtra said acquisition price for the Navi Mumbai airport land was being finalized at Rs 4 crore per acre but since the bill is under consideration, the demand has shot up to Rs 20 crore. "At this rate, project costs are bound to shoot up and it is unlikely that many projects will take off," he said. However, sociologists scoffed at the criticism saying that when profits to be made run into thousands of crores, industries would agree to the compensation. (Times of India 24/5/12) Villagers to move apex court to save farmland (4) RANCHI: Jodha Oraon has replaced his late mother's place on the protest ground in Chaura Nagri after she (Mundri Orain) succumbed to severe heat wave while sitting under the sun for several weeks in protest. The Oraon family is one among those hundreds of families who once supported the Jharkhand separate state movement and are now looking to the government with bated breath to save their agricultural land from being snatched away. The land has been acquired by the state government for construction of central education institutions including central law university. The move has been protested by the villagers who are not ready to part with their agricultural land. The land on which the villagers have been sitting on dharna is being brought under a boundary wall. It was after death of Mundri Devi that the agitation has started gaining momentum. The first human sacrifice in form of the tribal woman succumbing to heat wave has resulted in people from different walks of life coming together. Social activist Dayamani Barla said of the 153 families selected to be compensated by the government, 128 families had not accepted the money. "After filing repeated RTI applications, I was told that Rs1.33 lakh has been deposited in the district treasury in name of these 128 families who refused to take their compensation and part away with their land," she said. Jharkhand high court advocate Rajiv Kumar who has been taking up the cause of these hapless villagers moved to Delhi on Saturday to approach the apex court against the high court order that held land acquisition by state government as legal and proper. Meanwhile, social activists have started garnering support to mobilize the intelligentsia and also approach the voters in Hatia byelection to understand the political realities in state. Jharkhand Small-scale Industries Association (JSIA) member R P Shahi said the tribal villagers were in dire need of support from other sections of the society because their number was less. "There could be 300 families but in government papers 153 families are residing there. Whatever the real number may be they cannot take on the government," he said. (Times of India 27/5/12) concessionaire made a fortune out of land acquired at Rs. 4 per square yard .. (4) NEW DELHI, May 31, 2012: Farmers whose land was acquired at a meagre Rs. 4 per square yard in South West Delhi way back in 1955 in the name of undertaking planned development have now seized upon the opportunity raised by the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India — on the loss caused to the exchequer by leasing away of some of this very land by Indira Gandhi International Airport concessionaire Delhi International Airports Limited to commercial enterprises — to demand higher compensation. For the farmers of Mahipalpur, Nangal Dewat and Rangpuri villages near the airport, many of whom have over the last nearly 57 years been fighting legal battles for enhanced compensation, the report was a godsend. “I was pursuing the land acquisition case and the airport privatisation issue for getting higher compensation for the farmers through the Supreme Court. But when this CAG report came out, I decided to share the documents which had been procured by me from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Delhi government,” said Colonel (retd.) Devender Sehrawat, who had filed applications under the Right to Information Act on these issues. Col. Sehrawat, who is also secretary of the Delhi Gramin Samaj and co-convener of the Kissan Mahasangh, a federation of farmers' organisations, said the CAG draft report had also noted that the government exchequer had incurred a loss of Rs.24,000 crore due to manipulation in the original agreement and undue benefit worth Rs.1,63,557 were granted to the Delhi International Airports Limited through transfer of land. Thus, he said, as per the CAG, the loss was around Rs. 34 crore per acre — as 4799 acres of land was transferred to the concessionaire — and this worked out to a rate of nearly Rs.70,000 per square yard. However, Col. Sehrawat said the farmers had only been paid a fraction of this for their land. With 13 hotel projects envisioned on the airport land, the Kissan Mahasangh is now viewing the land transfer deal as a bonanza for the concessionaire and has urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to adequately compensate the farmers for their land and initiate resettlement and rehabilitation measures. Col. Sehrawat, who had gathered the information to seek higher compensation for the farmers through the Supreme Court, decided to come out with the information in hand following the CAG report. As per the information accessed by him — and copies of

which are with The Hindu — under the Operation, Management Development Agreement (OMDA) between DIAL and the Airports Authority of India, the concessionaire was allotted 4,799 acres on Rs.100 annual lease rent for 60 years. Even for commercial use, 190 acres were allowed to DIAL at a price of Rs.31 lakh while in the original contract, out of the total of 4,799 acres, only 240 acres or 5 per cent was earmarked for commercial use. The transfer of land to the airport concessionaire took place after the matter of land use was considered by the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) in June 2005. The EGoM had then directed the Civil Aviation Ministry to take the opinion of the Attorney-General on “use of airport land and limit on commercial use of land at airport complex by the JVC [joint venture company]” and legality of permitting the proposed concessionaire to develop the airport for commercial uses unrelated to the airport under the provisions of the Airports Authority of India Act, 1994. Giving his opinion on the issue on June 17, 2005, the then Attorney-General Milon K. Banerji, had said: “It would not be lawfully permissible for the AAI to grant a lease to any person in respect of any airport property for the purposes of commercial activities listed in Schedule 19 of the draft OMDA like building of golf courses, business parks, hi-tech parks, commercial offices, leisure facilities, commercial arcades, sports complexes, shopping complexes and convention centres etc. unconnected with the scope of airport development and management, including provision of passenger facilities and amenities.” He had further noted that “if it was considered necessary to permit lease of land to the concessionaire for undertaking commercial activities that go beyond the provision of passenger facilities at the airport, then it must be done only after an amendment was made to the AAI Act, 1994.” The EGoM had accordingly decided in its meeting held on June 22, 2005, that all commercial activities unrelated to the airport included in Schedule 19 of the draft OMDA be omitted from the final bid document. Thereafter two major Indian real estate firms — DLF Limited and Hiranandani Properties — who had initially shown considerable interest in the proposed airport modernisation projects withdrew from the bidding process. But the decision on the transfer of land for commercial activities was later reversed by the Civil Aviation Ministry to the advantage of the concessionaire. (The Hindu 31/5/12) Green tribunal says no to filling Maheshwar dam res ervoir (4) NEW DELHI: The proposed trial run of the Maheshwar dam power project in Madhya Pradesh hit a roadblock with the National Green Tribunal today restraining authorities from filling water in its reservoir. A bench headed by tribunal's acting chairperson Justice A S Naidu asked the authorities to maintain status quo on the proposal for partially filling up the reservoir up to 154 meters above the sea level. The tribunal passed the interim order on a plea by two project-hit villagers against the Centre's nod for closing the gates of Maheshwar dam on river Narmada for filling up the reservoir. The villagers have challegned the Centre's approval, contending that the submergence may lead to "irreparable damage to life and livelihood" of the natives. The bench gave the order, brushing aside the oppositions to the vilagers' plea by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) and the project proponent, Shree Maheshwar Hydel Power Corporation Ltd ( SMHPCL), a subsidiary of a textile giant S Kumar group company. "What is this? You are opposing an status quo order just before the vacations (of courts) are to begin ... Sorry gentleman. We will say don't fill it (the dam reservoir)," Justice Naidu said. "It (the dam) is not going to run away. It is not a run away project. You are not producing electricity. You only want to experiment," the bench said. The Maheshwar dam, the country's first privately-financed 400 MW hydro power project is one of the big dams of the Narmada Valley Development Project, which entails construction of 30 big and 135 mid-size dams in the Narmada valley. Two project-hit villagers had challenged the MoEF's May 1 order, allowing partial filling of the reservoir, contending that the submergence caused by filling it would cause irreparable damage to the life and livelihood of the people living there and is "likely to cause death to hundreds of people".Antarsingh Patel and Sanjay Nigam, residents of Maheshwar tehsil in Khargoan district of Madhya Pradesh had moved the tribunal for quashing of the MoEF's May 1 order. Appearing for the petitioners, advocate Ritwick Dutta had sought a stay on MoEF's order as an interim measure. The MoEF's May 1, 2012 order had modified the ministry's earlier orders of May 2011 and April 2010, which had allowed construction on five gates of the dam but had forbidden their closure or submergence till completion of the rehabilitation. Challenging the May 1, 2012 order, the villager's plea, filed through advocate Rahul Chaudhary, stated that there will be submergence of agricultural land, houses and several villages will become islands "causing irreparable damage to the life and livelihood of the people".They also told the tribunal that the order to allow closure of gates was passed on the basis of false information. "The order of MOEF dated May 1, 2012 ignores the revenue records of the state which was placed before the team of MOEF officers and which showed that there was submergence of lands and houses at the water level of 154 meters on August 27 2011," the petition said. The petitioner told the Tribunal that on January 17, 2012 the Khargone district collector had written to the project proponent Shree Maheshwar Hydel Power Corporation Ltd, certifying that there will not be any submergence of

houses and lands at 154 meters water level. The certificate was in "complete contradiction" to the revenue records of the state itself, the petitioner said. The petition also stated that as per the environment clearance to the project, the resettlement of the proposed oustees had to be completed six months prior to submergence of their villages but the rehabilitation of the "oustees of the Maheshwar dam is far from complete". (Times of India 1/6/12) Kochi Metro Rail Limited puts its foot down on land acquisition chaos (4) KOCHI: It is time for land owners in the city to make a wise decision. If you are not ready to provide land for the Kochi Metro project at the cost fixed by the district level purchase committee (DLPC), then be prepared to give up your land at a lesser rate. The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has decided not to hold further negotiations with land owners for finalizing land value. The Metro authority has announced the decision to remit the amount approved by DLPC before the court. And the cash will be distributed to land owners who have given their consent to hand over their land. "The rest of the land will be taken over according to the Land Acquisition Act. The deputy collector (LA) is assigned to furnish the details of the land to be taken over and assess its value. The value of the land will be remitted before the court," said KMRL managing director Tom Jose. KMRL announced this decision after holding a meeting with district collector P I Sheik Pareeth and other senior officials. The land is being acquired for executing the preparatory works including the construction of North Railway Overbridge (ROB) and the associated foot overbridge and the Salim Rajan ROB. KMRL informed that they would complete demarking the land to be acquired on Vytilla-Pettah Road within a weeks' time. "The road will have a width of 26 metres and KMRL will opt for 30 metres width wherever possible," he added. The chief revenue officer has been asked to gather details of the availability of 'puramboke' lands wherever land has to be acquired for preparatory works. It has also been decided to take urgent action to transfer this puramboke land in favour of KMRL. Regarding the land for Muttam yard, 18 hectares is to be surveyed and sent for the approval of the land revenue commissioner. The deputy collector has been asked to prepare a report on the land owned by the Kerala State Housing Board, near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium within 10 days. The Metro authority also said that they would soon hold a meeting with KSEB to decide on setting up compact secondary stations. It is time for land owners in the city to make a wise decision. If you are not ready to provide land for Kochi metro project at the cost fixed by the District Level Purchase Committee (DLPC), then be prepared to give up your land at a lesser rate. For the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has decided not to hold further negotiations with land owners for finalising land value. The metro authority has announced the decision to remit the amount approved by DLPC before the court. And the cash will be distributed to land owners who have given their consent to hand over their land. "The rest of the land will be taken over according to land acquisition act. The deputy collector (LA) is assigned to furnish the details of the land to be taken over and assess its value. The value of the land will be remitted before the court," said KMRL managing director, Tom Jose. KMRL announced this decision after holding a meeting with District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth and other senior officials. The land is being acquired for executing the preparatory works including the construction of North Railway Overbridge (ROB) and the associated foot overbridge and the Salim Rajan ROB. KMRL informed that they would complete demarking the land to be acquired on Vytilla-Pettah road with a weeks' time. "The road will have a width of 26 meters and KMRL will opt for 30 meters' width wherever possible," he added. (Times of India 2/6/12) India uproots most people for ‘progress’ (4) Between 60 and 65 million people are estimated to have been displaced in India since Independence, the highest number of people uprooted for development projects in the world. "This amounts to around one million displaced every year since Independence," says a report released recently by the Working Group on Human Rights in India and the UN (WGHR). "Of these displaced, over 40% are tribals and another 40% consist of dalits and other rural poor," says the WGHR report."Not taking into account displacement due to armed and ethnic conflict, India is estimated to have the highest number of people displaced annually as a result of ostensible development projects," it adds. Over 60% of people forced out of their homes globally are victims of internal displacement. Of the 43 million people forced to flee their homes, 26 million are displaced within their own country, 16 million are refugees and one million are asylum-seekers. The data is part of a report on the state of the world's refugees, released in New York last week by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). "For humanitarian workers, an ensuing implication is that helping the displaced is becoming more costly and dangerous. In countries such as Somalia, Afghanistan, Yemen, or Iraq, getting help to internally displaced populations means working in environments where access is difficult and conflict or criminality can present deadly risk," says the UNHCR. According to human rights activist Medha Patkar, who has been at the forefront of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, internal displacement is not a natural calamity but a political calamity. "It is carried out

deliberately so that a handful of people can grab resources at the cost of the livelihood of millions. It is a phenomenon that can easily be stopped. But instead of ensuring an equitable distribution of resources, those ruling the country are facilitating land grab, resulting in displacement. The United Nations only intervenes during wars, but it should do so for internal conflict such as displacement," she adds. According to Shivani Chaudhry, associate director, Housing and Land Rights Network, only around 20-25% of those internally displaced are ever resettled in India, as the vast majority of those forcibly evicted from their habitat are not recognized as internally displaced people. "Many poor people have faced multiple displacements. They are often displaced from their villages due to projects such as dams or SEZs. With no land and no livelihood, they head to cities where they live in jhuggis that are considered illegal and demolished," she adds. She points out that, while the government has policies for refugees, it does not have policies for internally displaced people. "The Land Acquisition Rehabilitation And Resettlement Bill 2011 is not intended to minimize displacement and does not address human rights," she says. (Times of India 4/6/12) Govt to revive SEZ, issue new guidelines (4) New Delhi: The government will come out with new guidelines to revive export hubs, special economic zones (SEZs), which have lost sheen after imposition of certain levies and proposal to take away tax incentives. The government had imposed Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) on SEZs in 2010-11, which were earlier exempted from almost all levies. Admitting that due to imposition of MAT and DDT, there has been a "visible slowdown" in growth of export from SEZs, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma today said a new set of guidelines would be announced to make the SEZ policy more buoyant. "We have undertaken a comprehensive assessment of the SEZ Scheme to re-visit certain aspects of the policy and operational framework and after concluding the inter-ministerial consultations, we will be able to come out with new guidelines to make the operation of the SEZ policy more buoyant," he said, while announcing the supplementary Foreign Trade Policy. The Direct Tax Codes (DTC) being considered by Parliament proposes to do away with the income tax exemption given to them and instead link tax sops to investments made in them. Profit-linked benefits were the main attraction of the SEZ scheme. The initial phase of SEZ scheme, launched in 2006, saw developers lining up in big numbers for projects. It was also seen as a real estate opportunity. At present, over 100 developers are seeking more time from the government to execute their projects and over 50 developers have surrendered the projects. Exports from SEZs stood at Rs 3.65 lakh crore in 2011-12. With investment of Rs 2.02 crore, these zones provide employment to over 8.45 lakh. (Indian Express 5/6/12) Special economic zone status for SmartCity land (4) KOCHI: Chief minister Oommen Chandy said here on Saturday that the Union government would soon give single special economic zone (SEZ) status for the land handed over to SmartCity which is bifurcated by a river that flows through it. Speaking after inaugurating the office-cum-sales pavilion of SmartCity, Chandy said the Central government had made certain changes in the norms in order to do this. As per the norms, single SEZ status can't be given to land divided by natural boundaries like rivers or canals. "The Union government changed the norms at our requests, and is expected to issue orders in this regard soon," Chandy said. The construction of the first phase of the IT buildings of the SmartCity project would begin within one and-a-half year. There won't be any further delay in implementing this prestigious project, he said. To a query, he said the cost of the project had gone up to Rs 2,000 crore from the original estimate of Rs 1,500 crore owing to the delay in implementation. The construction of the sales pavilion had been delayed. "And that was mainly because of the changes made in the size of the building. The pavilion was initially designed as a 5,500 sq ft building. Later, it was changed to more than 10,000 sq ft," the CM said. There were many hurdles in the way of the project, and the government kept overcoming them, he said. Of the proposed 30 lakh sq ft built-up area, the 3.5 lakh sq ft building, which is to be constructed as part of the first phase, would be completed within 18 months, he said. Tecom Investments CEO Abdullatif Al Mulla, who delivered the key-note address, however, differed on the deadline. He said the first IT building would be completed only within 24 months. To a query, Al Mulla said Tecom faced no cash crunch. He, however, didn't provide any data to substantiate his claims. Industries and IT minister P K Kunhalikkutty, who is also the chairman of SmartCity, presided over the meeting. Finance minister K M Mani, excise minister K Babu, PWD minister V K Ibrahimkunju, K P Dhanapalan MP, S Sarma MLA, Benny Behnan MLA, V P Sajeendran MLA, M A Yusuf Ali, Norka Roots vice chairman and special invitee on SmartCity director board, and Baju George, SmartCity Kochi managing director, also spoke on the occasion. (Times of India 10/6/12) Land acquisition delays coconut park (4)

KOZHIKODE: Land acquisition delay is affecting the implementation of the much-hyped Coconut Industrial Park at Kuttiady. Kuttiady, known for its high-yielding coconut trees, has already got the finance department's approval. The project, introduced three years ago, will help farmers achieve increased and sustained productivity, while fostering value addition to all allied products and increasing their market value. The 131-acre park will provide land and infrastructure facilities to private companies interested in developing coconut-related industries in the region. The state government has already earmarked Rs 5 crore for the project. "We hope to sell coconuts at a reasonable price once the park is established", said K K Rajan, a farmer. He added that unexpected delays hampering the project are a dampener. "Though Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) was entrusted with the task of land acquisition, their apathy in completing the acquisition is proving to be major hurdle," said Kuttiady MLA K K Lathika. The district administration, in association with the panchayat authorities, farmers' cooperatives and clusters has already identified land for the proposed park. The MLA alleged that permission has been sought from landowners and the paperwork is complete, but KSIDC is yet to respond in a timely fashion. According to the project proposal, 16 acres of land will be utilized for setting up a common facility centre, infrastructure, internal roads, power substation and water supply points. Around 5 acres of land will be utilized for setting up production unit for value-added products. The remaining 110 acres of land will be leased out to private entrepreneurs. The project aims to produce and export remunerative value-added products including coconut oil, coconut powder, coconut chips, coconut milk, coir products and geo-coir carpets. Private companies have expressed interest in starting units at the proposed park, said the MLA. "We have approached industries minister P K Kunhalikutty seeking his intervention for the speedy implementation of the project," said Lathika…. (Times of India 11/6/12) Kochi Metro: Land acquisition to begin in a month ( 4) Kochi: District collector P.I. Sheik Pareeth said that the land acquisition for the first phase of Metro Rail project will begin in a month. He was addressing mediapersons at the civil station, on Monday. The administration has asked the government to acquire the land under dispute on MG Road, Banerji Road and South railway station, for the project. The proposed land will be acquired on the basis of the Land Acquisition Act and the land owners would be given Rs 40 lakh a cent. Nine cents on MG Road, 67 on Banerji Road and 17 on South Railway Station Road will be acquired. The acquisition will not affect the shops on MG Road. But about 85 shops on Banerji Road will be hit and another 88 units on South Railway Station Road will be displaced. Both the roads have shops, education institutions, hospitals, banks, petrol pumps, government offices, staff quarters and other establishments on them. The MRC proposal to widen the road from Vyttila to Petta will remain at 26 metres. The widening may go up to 30 metres depending on the availability of land. The three projects of GIDA to construct bridges at Kothadu, Chathandu and Moolampilly islands will be undertaken by the Kochi Metro Rail Corporation. The officials will visit the place soon. The district collector said the North railway overbridge will be completed by October. (Asian Age 12/6/12) West Bengal government to provide land for industri es (4) Kolkata, June 12 : Debunking reports that non-availability of land is hindering investment in the state, the West Bengal government Tuesday said it will provide land to investors who come up with proposals for industrial projects. "There is no use sitting and harping on the issue of land. I invite those investors who are facing land problems to come to us and we will look into their problems," state Commerce and Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee told mediapersons here. "We have land in our hands and we will arrange land for you. We have around 7,500 acres of industrial land lying unused. We are exploring ways to utilise them." The state government's policy that it would not acquire land for industrial projects and that businessmen need to buy it outright from landowners have proved a dampener for investors and entrepreneurs. Chatterjee, who presided over a committee meeting on industry involving various chambers of commerce and industry, said the government had received investment proposals to the tune of Rs.1,03,000 crore in the past one year. "In all, we have received 176 proposals of investment to the tune of Rs.1,03,000 crore till now. They already have the land. That is why they have submitted the proposals. Land is not an issue," said Chatterjee. The minister said he would meet company officials of Infosys whose proposed project in the state has been in limbo after it was denied the status of special economic zone (SEZ). "We are very optimistic of getting investments in the IT sector. Other than Infosys, there are many others who want to invest in the state. We will be meeting delegates from Infosys in the coming week," added Chatterjee. (IANS) (New Kerala 12/6/12) Centre puts Adani SEZ on notice (4) Ahmedabad: The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued a show-cause notice to the Adani

Port and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZL) for “distorting” facts, asking why notification for the SEZ should not be withdrawn. The Union of India additionally filed a caveat in the Gujarat High Court on Saturday, informing the court of the development. The ministry has sought explanation from the company within 10 days on why the approval granted to the company should not be cancelled and notification for the SEZ withdrawn with immediate effect. The notice is dated June 12. The Adani Group insisted in a statement that the notice concerns only a “new SEZ of 1,840 hectares” that was notified in March, and “has no relation with the existing operational multi-product SEZ spread over 6,472 hectares”, which was notified in 2009. It said “port operations and port development activities at Mundra are normal”. In a proposal dated September 23, 2011, APSEZL had sought approval for setting up the multi-product SEZ on 1,840 hectares of land, contending that such land is “contiguous, vacant and there will not be any public thoroughfare through such land”. However, the examination report filed by Kandla SEZ Development Commissioner nailed discrepancies like the land was not contiguous and is spread over at least 3 separate land parcels, the ministry said. “It is prima facie apparent that APSEZL has deliberately concealed and falsified material facts which have a direct bearing on the grant of approval and subsequent notification,” the notice said. “It (company) has also misled this department by furnishing incorrect particulars of land and other related facts, leading to wrongful approval and notification of the land measuring 1840 hectares as an SEZ,” the notice issued by Sanjeet Singh, director (SEZ) at the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, said. (Indian Express 17/6/12) 1200 held during bandh against displacement (4) RANCHI: The statewide bandh called by the Left parties in association with the Jharkhand Disom Party (JDP) and the Jharkhand Bachao Andolan against displacement triggered by industrialization and development projects had a moderate impact in the state on Saturday. Police said around 1,200 bandh supporters were arrested from all over the state as they tried to enforce the shutdown. Senior leaders Gopikant Bagchi and Prakash Vipllav of the CPM, K D Singh of the CPI, Jayant Kumar Pandey of the Forward Bloc were arrested among others from Albert Ekka Chowk in the morning. "The issue of forceful land acquisition has become a burning one in Jharkhand. The Arjun Munda government is insensitive. Poor people are being displaced in the name of anti-encroachment. We will not tolerate it," said Bagchi. Train services remained almost normal across the state despite attempts by the bandh supporters to disrupt the movement at Jhumri Tilaya (Koderma), Jamshedpur, Bokaro and other places. However, the bandh supporters forcibly stopped the transportation of coal from HCL's Chitra coalmines. A siege was laid on NH-33 in Hazaribagh and in Sonahatu in Ranchi which blocked movement of vehicles for hours. The bandh supporters in Gumla, Garhwa, Latehar, Ramgrah, Chatra, Deoghar, Godda and Koderma, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Chaibasa and other districts took out rallies. Jharkhand police spokesperson S N Pradhan said no untoward incident was reported from across the state. "The bandh was almost peaceful. No damage to public or private properties was reported," Pradhan added. Train services remained almost normal across the state despite attempts by the bandh supporters to disrupt the movement at Jhumri Tilaya (Koderma), Jamshedpur, Bokaro and other places. (Times of India 17/6/12) How The Land Acquisition Bill Will Impact Farmers ( 4) The farmers occupied a tent that was erected outside the apartment complex. Their complaint was that they were being coerced to sell land for cheap by private players. “We will get only a measly Rs 20 lakh per acre. We should get at least two crores,” said an elderly farmer. Their confidence in the value of their land made the farmers more confident of their choices. They wanted to sell at the right time at the right price. This is where a report brought out by the standing committee on rural development becomes significant. In it, the committee vehemently opposed the Land Acquisition Bill as per which the government would acquire land on behalf of private players and Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). The committee was of the view that government should not acquire land on behalf of private players and PPPs. “...why should the state at all be involved in acquiring land, which is the most precious and scarce of the three factors of production…” asks the committee. Both government and industry, however, are peeved. Rural minister Jairam Ramesh has said that he would not be able to accept the committee’s recommendations and hopes to table the Bill during the monsoon session. CII president Adi Godrej said that it would adversely affect industry, particularly those in manufacturing. “Rather than addressing concerns of the industry over the provisions of compensation and consent required for land acquisition, the recommendations of the committee do not seem to be taking into account the need of the industry, thereby, leaving it to fend for itself,” Godrej said in a statement after the panel’s suggestions were made public. Others are cautious. “It is one step forward,” says R Singhal, director with mining consultancy, Minsource, but warns that the law will be useless without detailed guidelines on getting landowners’ consent. “The Bill is reasonably balanced. But the aim should be that once I get the consent from the

landowners, I should get it hassle free.” Singhal also said that for an industrialist acquiring land is cumbersome as titles are not clear and it is difficult to get land in tribal areas. “The Bill has made a promise but implementation could be difficult.” Farmers and tribals in central India often have to face threats from land sharks and are forced to sell cheap. The Bill has covered some ground in terms of ensuring that the sellers’ interests are protected. Former secretary in the rural development ministry NC Saxena says the Bill is quite sound in principle. As the compensation has been kept high, private players will have to think twice before going in for acquisition and, on the other hand, farmers’ interests have been kept in mind in terms of provision of compensation. “If a farmer wants to get out of agriculture, he should be able to expect the correct price for his land and for this state intervention is a must,” says Saxena. MR Madhavan of PRS Legislative Research asks why the government needs to make a distinction on land being acquired for a government project with land being acquired for a PPP project so long as the land is indeed being acquired towards a public purpose. “Delays in land acquisition add to the cost of projects,” says Madhavan. National Highways Builders Federation secretary general M Murali said the Bill would help complete road projects faster. “Litigation would come down if higher rates were to be given to the land owners. And if land can be allotted to the developers on time, then the completion time would also improve drastically.” (Forbes India 18/6/12) Dalit women urged to fight for land rights (4) Kolar, June 20, 2012: General Secretary of the Chennai-based National Federation of Unorganised Workers R. Geetha has called upon Dalit women to be in the forefront in the struggle to get land for their families. She was addressing a gathering of Dalit women outside the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Tuesday. Though a majority of the people in the working class hails from Dalit communities, they are deprived of basic facilities, Ms. Geetha alleged. Vishakapatnam’s Kakatiya University professor Sujata said the Dalits and Adivasis are being evicted from their land to benefit land sharks and industrialists. The toiling population is being made landless in the name of development, Ms. Sujata added. Hundreds of women from various parts of district, particularly from Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), took part in a procession and sit-in protest. The Adimashakthi Dalita Mahila Okkoota organised the rally in association with several progressive organisations. The protesters urged the authorities concerned to dispose the applications pending before the government and grant land to the landless poor in the district. They also demanded that tenancy rights should be given to the families of Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML) workers who are living in KGF. Land should be distributed to these families which toiled to extract 46,000 tonnes of gold from the deep mines, they said. The agitators submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister to Deputy Commissioner D.S. Vishwanath. (The Hindu 20/6/12) HC land acquisition order may hit Kerala's developm ent (4) KOCHI: A court ruling rightly concerned about protecting the interests of property owners whose land has been earmarked for acquisition could inadvertently slow down development projects in Kerala. Justice Antony Dominic of the Kerala high court on Friday quashed the emergency acquisition of land for the third phase of Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram, and ordered a fresh inquiry to give the land owner a hearing as stipulated by section 5A of the Act. The hight court ruled land revenue commissioners should conduct independent inquiry to satisfy the urgency of acquisition instead of blindly believing district administration's version. However, it left it to the government to empower an authority to conduct the hearing and take a final decision. The court also directed the government to explain the urgency in acquiring land for projects whenever it invoked the emergency clause in the Land Acquisition Act. The ruling was influenced by a decision of the SC, which laid down emergency acquisition should have a definite time frame - land had to be acquired "in a few weeks to a month". This has not been the case in Kerala, where land is taken over using the emergency clause but proceedings continue for years. Unexceptionable as the court's concerns are, it is possible that in a state like Kerala, where development is more often than not held hostage to an inflated sense of entitlement on the part of individuals and unionised entities, this could adversely affect the state's development trajectory. Minister for industries and IT P K Kunhalikutty, said, "We are yet to get a full picture. It seems the judgment is technical. The state will file an appeal after analysing the verdict". In the judgment, the HC had referred to the Supreme Court's decision in Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank Ltd vs Assistant Provident Commissioner, which held that "a right under Section 5A is not merely statutory but also has the flavour of fundamental rights under Article 14 and 19 of the Constitution." The ruling was in response to a petition by Sharlet TF, whose property was proposed to be taken over through emergency acquisition for constructing an approach road connecting the third phase of Technopark to the bypass road. (Times of India 23/6/12)

Odisha to transfer 2,000 acres of land to POSCO soo n (4) New Delhi: The Odisha Government will soon transfer about 2,000 acres of land to South Korean steel major POSCO to begin work on its USD 12-billion project near Paradip in Orissa, stuck for seven years now. “We have acquired 2,000 acres of land for POSCO. We have begun the process of land transfer which will be completed as soon as possible,” Odisha Mines Minister Raghunath Mohanty told the news agency. “Of the total 2,000 acres acquired by Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IIDCO), 500 acres have already been transferred to the steel major and the remaining will be done at the earliest,” he said. Mohanty said that the steel company now needs 2,700 acres of land to commence work on initial 8 MTPA plant and the State Government would take all possible measures to acquire and transfer remaining 700 acres of land as well. As per the revised strategy to set up initial 8-MTPA plant, expandable up to 12 MTPA, the Korean major requires 2,700 acres of land. It, last month, had said that it will begin work on the project by October. For 12 MTPA project, it requires 4,004 acres of land. Its India CMD Y W Yoon had called on Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik last month. Mohanty said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with POSCO would also be renewed soon and a tripartite agreement will be signed. The $ 12 billion project (Rs 52,000 crore) is hanging fire for the last about seven years due to land acquisition and regulatory hurdles. POSCO had entered into a pact with Odisha Government on June 22, 2005 for setting up the steel mill at Jagatsingpur. However, even if the steel giant overcomes land problems, it will have to wait for green clearances as the National Green Tribunal on March 30 had suspended the clearance granted on January 31, 2011. The tribunal directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to review afresh the approval. The Tribunal had pointed out that memorandum of understanding between the Orissa Government and Posco states that the project is for steel production of 12 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) but the environment impact assessment (EIA) report has been prepared only for 4 MTPA in the first phase. The Tribunal’s decision had come close on the heels of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assuring South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in Seoul earlier this year that the project will be implemented and there was progress on it. (Pioneer 24/6/12) New land bank to decide on acquisitions (4) Ghaziabad: The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) on Tuesday announced to create a land bank on priority basis for various residential or commercial schemes or other utilities and decided that all acquisitions in the future would be done through the created bank. The authority presently does not have land to undertake new scheme or project. The authority announced this in its board meeting in which 24 proposals were placed. Of this, seven were passed while the remaining were sent to the government for approval. The board of authority also decided to raise the circle rates of residential properties in line with the hike in administration circle rates. At places where the circle rates of GDA properties in residential pockets are less, it would be raised to match the structure of administration circle rates. To boost the housing sector as also to facilitate the builders, the authority also proposed to hike the Floor Area Ration (FAR), and keep it in sync with that of its counterparts Noida and Delhi. This is being done to utilise the space in the best way possible, officials said. The authority has, however, scrapped the provision of allowing builders to deposit the development charges in installment. “The builders would not have to deposit the entire development cess at one time while seeking approval of the lay-out plans for their projects,” GDA Vice Chairman, Santosh Yadav said. In efforts to meet the long-standing demand of economically weaker sections for housing, the authority has also proposed to launch an affordable housing scheme for them. “Our officials would get down to work out the feasibility and modalities of such an affordable housing scheme. The prices of such houses would be roughly structured between Rs 5-10 lakh,” Yadav said, after the board meeting, that was co-chaired by the District Magistrate, Aparna Upadhyay. (Pioneer 27/6/12) Farmers warn against land acquisition (4) HUBLI: Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene have warned the state government that proposed acquisition of 2.16 lakh acres of agricultural land for setting up industries will lead to food crisis in near future. Sene general secretary Badagalapura Nagend said the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) had already notified 40,000 of agrarian lands for acquisition and plans were afoot to acquire an additional 1.76 lakh acres for companies, which have signed memorandum of understanding with the state government at the Global Investor's Meet (GIM) to set up industries.Nagendra alleged that the acquisition of lands for the industrial purpose was a big real estate business and the KRRS had identified many cases of diverting agrarian lands acquired for industries diverted to other purpose. In Mysore and Hosur road such lands have been used to set up resorts, hotels, commercial complexes and even the residential apartments, he alleged. (Times of India 27/6/12)

SUCI-C urges all parties to join Singur farmers' mo vement (4) Singur (West Bengal), July 1 : Advocating Singur farmers' "right to snatch back their land", the Socialist Unity Centre of India-Communist (SUCI-C) Sunday urged political parties to join peasants of this rural belt of West Bengal in their fight for justice. "Getting back their land is the only justice for the farmers of Singur and for that to happen they will have to snatch back the land. They cannot expect to get back the land through legal battles," said SUCI-C legislator Tarun Naskar, who led a rally in this rural belt of Hooghly district demanding the farmers be given a right to reclaim their land. "We are with the Krishijami Raksha Committee in its endeavour to get back their land and I urge all the parties to come together and join them," he added. Singur is gradually turning into an epicentre of the political theatre following the recent court verdict cancelling the Singur land law as "unconstitutional".Political parties hit the roads showing their solidarity with the peasants here whose land was allegedly acquired forcibly by the then Left Front government to set up an industrial unit. If it was the SUCI-C Sunday, on Saturday the Congress and the Trinamool Congress -- allies both at the centre and in the state -- separately hit the streets at Singur on the issue of returning land to the "unwilling farmers".While the Congress accused its ally of "playing politics at the cost of farmers", the Trinamool retorted that the Congress was "derailing the government's initiative" to rehabilitate the farmers. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Sunday reiterated its promise to return the land to the unwilling farmers. "The law has been made in the interest of the people; not the other way around. The process has been held up because of some legal hassles, but we are committed to the promise of returning the land," party general secretary and Railway Minister Mukul Roy said in Kolkata. (IANS) (New Kerala 1/7/12) Move to acquire land irks villagers (4) Alappuzha: The villagers of Thuravoor grama panchayat and Kuthiyathodu grama panchayat in Alappuzha are all set to begin agitation programmes against the state government's move to acquire their land for setting up an industrial park. The state government has identified 79 acres of land in the 6th ward of Thuravoor grama panchayat and 47 acres of land in Kuthiyathodu grama panchayat that will be given to Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) for setting up an industrial park. According to villagers, the land identified for the project also includes 52 acres of paddy fields and the government has already initiated steps to level the paddy filed. It is the violation of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008, they said. "Agriculture officials informed us that they would soon visit the paddy field identified for the project. But we will strongly oppose it. It was around two years ago that the government issued an order for acquiring land for the Kinfra's project. Though we requested the government to relocate the project to any other place, the authorities have ignored it. As many as 143 poor families will be evicted for the project," said S P Shali, convener of Kudiyozhippickal Virudha Janakeeya Samithi. "The majority of people, whose land will be acquired for the project, are farmers and dairy farmers. They mainly depend on paddy fields for their livelihood. Kinfra officials also failed to promise a better rehabilitation package for us. So we will go ahead with our agitation programmes until the government resolves to relocate the project site from our village," he said. The villagers will organize a protest rally against the land acquisition move of the government at Thuravoor on Tuesday. Bishop Geevarghese Mar Coorilos will inaugurate a protest meet on the occasion. Moolampilly Samara Samithy convener Francis Kalathunkal will preside over the function. (Times of India 2/7/12) Higher compensation in SC, ST atrocity cases: Colle ctor (4) Kakinada, Jul 5: East Godavari District Collector Neethu Kumary today said the Andhra Pradesh government has increased the compensation to be awarded to the victims in SC, ST atrocity cases and a GO in this regard was issued on June 16. Addressing the district level SC ST vigilance and monitoring committee meeting here today, she said hitherto the compensation was ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs two lakh but under the new order, it would be from Rs 60,000 to Rs five lakh. Replying to the complaints made by some members on injustice meted out to the SC and Sts among the families affected and displaced by the Kakinada SEZ an d other projects in the district, the Collector, while conceding that there were certain anomalies in the relief and rehabilitation packages awarded under GO NO 68, assured them to sort out the issue amicably by convening joint meeting of the displaced and the managements. The Collector also assured that the children of the SC STs among the KSEZ displaced would be provided free education in corporate colleges by taking up the issue with the Varalakshmi foundation. The Collector instructed the Lead bank Manager Jagannadharaju to arrange loans to the SC ST beneficiaries who receive sanction of bore wells. When some members drew the poor condition of the social welfare hostel buildings, the Collector said efforts were being made to give a facelift to all the hostels in a phased programme with the financial assistance to the tune of Rs one crore from ONGC. (UNI) (New Kerala 5/7/12)

Posco will be asked to pay more for rehab colony la nd, says Govt (4) Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided that Posco India will have to pay the same price for rehabilitation colony land as it has paid for the project area, following a complaint raised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). “Steps will be taken to request Posco India to pay equivalent compensation as paid in the case of rate of private land coming within the project area,” the government said while filing a compliance report on the NHRC complaint regarding the same issue. Villagers near the project area had complained that two private firms in 2009 acquired about a hundred acres near the proposed plant site in the name of establishing fish farms and later sold the same land to Posco for establishment of its rehabilitation colony . The land was sold by the villagers at Rs 1.80 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per acre then, whereas the district administration has fixed the land rate for Posco project at Rs 17 lakh per acre, they had alleged. The government, on the other hand, said no such land transfer has been made for rehabilitation colony purpose. “It is verified from the district administration, Jagatsinghpur that till now no record of rights has been issued with regard to surrender of land in favour of R&DM (revenue and disaster management) department,” the letter sent from the steel and mines department said. However, it said henceforth, no private parties will be allowed to purchase land for any project related works of the government and said it can only be done with the due permission of government in R&DM department after recommendation by Idco (Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha). While Idco has been entrusted with the land buying work for Posco, the R &DM department has been engaged in constructing rehabilitation colony for the families who will be displaced for the proposed steel plant. In its latest status report on India's biggest foreign direct investment (FDI), the state government on Wednesday said Posco is currently in possession of 10 acre land where several families have taken shelter in the 'transit camp', after the project opponents ostracized them. For Posco's 12 million tonne plant and its captive port, five villages with 718 families have to be replaced. As per the rehabilitation scheme, Posco will provide each displaced family a three room house within 743 square feet area and will also pay Rs 5,000 to each family to move to the rehabilitation colony along with 230 square feet area for cattle shed. The latest status report on Posco said the work for rehabilitation colony is going on and 200 local persons has been engaged in the construction work. Meanwhile Posco India has applied to transfer 2,700 acre land in its favour for establishment of 8 million tonne per annum (MTPA) steel plant. Though the Korean steel maker had intended to build a 12 MTPA plant in 4,004 acre area, it later changed its mind to go on with lesser area for 8 MTPA plant as the progress of the project got clogged in getting regulatory approvals and local protests. The steel and mines department, in its compliance report said it has decided not to go ahead with land acquisition of any private land following the direction from the High Court. Out of original plan of 4,004 acre area, private land consists of 437 acres. (Business Standard 6.7.12) Odisha SEZ policy in limbo due to objection to tax doles (4) Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy, aimed at attracting investors in non-metallurgical sectors has hit the wall of uncertainty. Though the draft of the policy was framed two years back, it has hardly moved ahead. Sources said, the finance department was not keen on doling out tax sops and incentives in line with the prevailing SEZ policy of the Government of India and this has presumably delayed any progress on policy making.“The finance department is of the view that only incentives incorporated in the Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR)-2007 should be extended to the SEZs. The department of finance fears revenue loss if tax sops are offered to such zones. But there is no way we can frame any state specific SEZ policy without including a set of exclusive incentives,” said an official of the state industries department. Finance department sources said, no call was taken yet on offering tax incentives to the SEZs but views of the directorate of commercial taxes were sought. As per the draft SEZ Policy of the state, the import of goods and services made to SEZ units located within the processing zone from the domestic tariff area shall be exempted from Value Added Tax (VAT), entry tax, electricity duty and other cess payable on sales and transactions. Gujarat was the first state to formulate a state specific SEZ policy in 2002 and enacted legislation to this effect in 2004. Besides Gujarat, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, Kerala, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have formulated SEZ policies. Exports from all SEZs across the country grew 15 per cent in 2011-12 to Rs 3.6 lakh crore. The Odisha government's SEZ policy was aimed at widening its investment horizon and attract more investors in sectors like information technology, biotechnology, electronics, automobiles and auto component manufacturing, ship building, gems and jewellery and pharmaceuticals. Under the proposed SEZ Policy, the state government shall not encourage SEZs based on mining and minerals like iron ore chrome ore and bauxite. However, SEZs based on the use of intermediate products like alumina for smeltering, primary metals for further processing on the value chain and rare minerals like tin, limenite,

nickel, platinum and vanadium will be allowed. Moreover, the state shall not encourage SEZs based on activities like mining that cause pollution. The State Pollution Control Board was to prepare a list of such industries and the same would be notified by the state government as a negative list. Till now, four SEZs have been notified in the state- the sector specific IT/ITes SEZ at Chandaka Industrial Estate in Bhubaneswar developed by Idco, sector specific SEZ for stainless steel and ancillary downstream industries at the Kalinga Nagar Industrial Complex being developed by JSL, aluminium and aluminium products SEZ at Lapanga near Sambalpur being developed by Hindalco Industries and another aluminium SEZ with Captive Power Plant being developed by Vedantal Aluminium Limited at Jharsuguda. (Business Standard 9/7/12) Villagers oppose move to acquire land for Posco pla nt (4) BHUBANESWAR: Hundreds of villagers staged a rally at Gobindpur village of Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district on Monday, to reiterate their strong opposition to a fresh move by the Naveen Patnaik government to acquire land for the proposed Posco mega steel plant project. The villagers, who gathered at Dhinkia village despite heavy rains, told the administration and the company to refrain from making attempts to create divisions among the villagers. They appealed to the State government to withdraw the project from their locality, instead of making preparations for acquiring land for the 12-million-tonne-capacity steel mill. The meeting, which was organised by the Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti, was presided by the group’s leader, Abhay Sahu. It was decided at the meeting that the residents of Dhinkia, the nerve centre of the anti-Posco agitation since 2005, would take the lead in strengthening the campaign against land acquisition in the coming days. According to Sangram Samiti spokesperson Prashant Paikray, the villagers decided to hold similar meetings in some other villages of the area, such as Gobindpur, Patana, Nuagaon during the next few days, to prepare for a bigger rally at Batatikira at a later date. The agitation will continue in a peaceful and democratic manner. It was at Batatikira that the agitating villagers have been continuing with a relay dharna since June 2011. Hundreds of children had taken part in the dharna initially, in order to prevent the administration and police from entering Gobindpur village to acquire land. Move to intensify stir The Samiti decided to intensify its agitation as the State government was preparing to acquire 700 acres of government land that had more than 500 betel vines belonging to the villagers. The acquisition of another 700 acres had become necessary for the government as it had acquired approximately 2,000 acres so far, and the company was in need of 2,700 acres to start construction of the first two phases of the proposed plant. (The Hindu 10/7/12) New rates for land acquisitions from now: Francisco D'Souza (4) PORVORIM: Revenue minister Francisco D'Souza assured members of the house that the government will implement the new Land Acquisition Act enacted by the Centre during land acquisitions in the state. "The people of the state will get what is due to them," D'Souza said, replying to leader of opposition Pratapsingh Rane, who stated that the new land acquisition act enacted by the Centre has to give six times the existing rate during land acquisition for public purpose. "Will the government assure that this act will be implemented in the state?" said Rane. Replying to the question of Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, D'Souza said that the number of land acquisitions proposed during the year 2011-2012 till date was 68. The minister also said that while fixing the compensation amount, the department relies on the annual statement of rates of the government of Goa as a guiding factor apart from sales statistics collected by the land acquisition officers and site inspections. Reginaldo also pointed out that the acquisition, which was proposed since the last six months, has not figured in the reply submitted to the house and questioned whether the government will process those acquisitions which are not listed. Hostels: D'Souza, who is also craftsman training minister, said that after studying the issue, the government will start hostel facilities for students of Industrial Training Institutes in the state. Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal had raised the issue saying students waste time in travelling. (Times of India 13/7/12) UP CM against forced acquisition of land from farme rs (4) Lucknow: Farmers should not be forced to vacate their land for development projects, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said, advocating adequate compensation for them. "Land acquisition should be done with the consent of the farmers by giving them adequate compensation and if required after adjusting the affected family in job," Yadav said in a conclave here yesterday. He said the state government is planning to construct a road to connect Lucknow with Delhi, but land would be taken for the project only after the consent of the farmers. "There is immense possibility of development in UP and with the support of all it would definitely march ahead. For the development of the state, a lot of work has to be done in various fields, including infrastructure, education and health," he said. On the power crisis in the state, he said the government is taking concrete steps to improve electricity supply. "The government

has blacklisted companies, which supplied poor quality transformers and in future also action would be taken against those supplying defective equipment," he said. He also stressed on improving law and order situation in the state. (Pioneer 14/7/12) 10 hurt in clash against land acquisition in Haryan a (4) REWARI: Protests against land acquisition here turned violent on Monday with about 10 farmers, including a woman, injured in clashes between villagers and policemen. Hundreds of farmers had assembled outside the mini secretariat to protest against the Haryana government's decision to acquire 3,000 acres of agricultural land across 16 villages in Rewari for setting up infrastructure related industries. The police, apprehending violence, lathi-charged the mob to prevent them from entering the mini-secretariat. This provoked the mob into stone-pelting. A few agitators also managed to enter secretariat premises and ransacked several government offices. The secretariat staff was locked in for almost five hours. The farmers who had been staging a peaceful dharna wanted to meet the deputy commissioner demanding withdrawal of the government's decision to acquire their land. They had threatened to intensify their agitation if their demands were not met before the June 20 deadline that they had set. "The situation was under control by evening. Cops have been deployed at the spot. We will register an FIR against the agitators," said Rewari SP Abhishek Garg. The government has served notices to villages about acquiring land for setting up industries. "The farmers don't want to give up their land. The government has started the process of acquiring over 3,000 acres in 16 villages," said farmer leader Ram Kishan. Several villagers including those from Banipur, Putahera, Manglesar, Garhi Aasaswas have been sitting on dharna for many days. (Times of India 17/7/12) Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik opposes land ac quisition drive (4) RANCHI: The Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) will launch a statewide agitation against acquisition of agricultural land in the name of development and failure of the government and companies to fulfil the promises made to people who lost their land. The phase-wise agitation will begin from August 2 and continue till August 22 under the leadership of JVM-P chief Babulal Marandi. During those 20 days the party intends to organize around 300 public meetings to garner public support. On September 3, the party will organize a dharna at the state secretariat. The meeting was attended by all MLAs, MPs, central committee members, district presidents and other senior leaders of the party. Central general secretary of the party Pradeep Yadav said over the last six decades, more than 25 lakh people have been displaced in the name of construction of irrigation projects. "The latest attempt of the government is to displace hundreds of families for construction of educational institutions at Nagri. We are against acquisition of agricultural land and will support the villagers in their agitation," said Yadav. During the meeting, the leaders also discussed the strategy for strengthening the party at the grassroots level before the next assembly election. The party will strengthen organization is all the 81 assembly constituencies. On the other hand, CPM politburo member Brinda Karat attended a public meeting at Ratu block and participated in a dharna at the block office. The participants demanded proper implementation of the Food Security Act. She criticized both the Union and state governments and alleged both ignored the interest of masses and played in the hands of corporate houses. (Times of India 18/7/12) Land acquisition notice for Vadodara-Mumbai express way (4) VADODARA: Signalling the first concrete development on the ambitious 8-lane expressway project by National Highway Authority on Vadodara-Mumbai stretch, the land acquisition officer, Vadodara has finally issued notification for land acquisition for the expressway. The NHA project is part of the Golden Quadrilateral project of the central government. The expressway would extend over 380km while the notification has been issued for stretches between Dodka to Fajalpur, Sherkhi, Sevasi, Bhayli, Sokhda Khurd, Sadad and Sampa. It involves land of 24 villages in Vadodara district. As per initial planning, the expressway is likely to be commissioned by 2016- 17 after incurring a cost of Rs 20,000 crore. The budget provision had been cleared by central cabinet a while ago. According to the existing plans, the expressway would have six lanes from Vadodara to Bharuch , which presently involved a distance of 60 kms . From Bharuch, it would turn into eight lane right up to Dahisar. Vehicles on expressway highways are required to maintain a speed between 100 to 120 kms per hours. The notification for land acquisition was issued on Wednesday and the LAO has invited objections over the next 21 days. A total of 6000 acres of land is expected to be acquired for the expressway between Vadodara and Mumbai. The project would be a continuation of the Ahmedabad- Vadodara expressway which has already covered two towns of Anand and Nadiad. (Times of India 20/7/12) Haryana minister opposes acquisition of fertile lan d (4)

CHANDIGARH: When the Hooda government in Haryana is facing sharp criticism from opposition parties on the issue of land acquisition, state cabinet minister, Ajay Singh Yadav, said on Tuesday that he is not in favour of acquisition of fertile land for industries. "I have been saying time and again that only barren land should be acquired for industrial purposes, not the fertile soil," said Yadav, admitting that the land being acquired in Rewari district is fertile. Farmers had torched a police station, held several policemen hostage and blocked the Delhi-Jaipur highway on Sunday, after police opened fire to control protests against land acquisition in Rewari district. "Majority of farmers doesn't want land acquisition," admitted Yadav. "There may be the issue of (insufficient) compensation behind protest by farmers," said Yadav, who has been raising his voice on the issue of land acquisition in Haryana. Referring to the agitation by farmers in Rewari, Yadav said, "Land in over 12 villages near Bawal town of Rewari district has already been acquired. Now land is being acquired in another 16 villages in the same district. The situation reaches a saturation point after acquisition of large tracts of land." Explaining the reasons behind resentment among farmers, leader of BJP legislature group in Vidhan Sabha, Anil Vij, said, "In the past, the government had sold dreams to farmers in the name of SEZ. But their dreams were shattered as they found nothing on the ground, even after so many years." If the government wants to restore the confidence of farmers, then all the land bought or acquired by government or private players in the name of SEZ should be returned to them, he demanded. "I don't understand why the government always target fertile land for acquisition. Even for nuclear power plant in Gorakhpur village of Fatehabad district, fertile land is being acquired despite stiff opposition from farmers," said Vij, demanding that all land acquisition proceedings should be stopped as a bill on the issue is still pending in the Lok Sabha. Senior leader of Haryana's main opposition party, INLD, Rampal Majra, said that land acquisition process should be initiated only after consent by farmers. "Continuous protests by farmers have exposed the claims about Haryana's land acquisition policy. Farmers in Gujarat not only get land developed for industries, but also get employment and residential plots in lieu of their acquired land." (Times of India 25/7/12) Revised SEZ policy in 3-4 weeks: Commerce secretary (4) Kolkata: The government hopes to come out with new guidelines to revive Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in three to four weeks, Commerce Secretary S.R. Rao said Thursday. "We are now trying to harmonise the current (SEZ) policy and rules that have not served the purpose and trying to remove irritants to investors," Rao told reporters here. "And (we are) also trying to bring in some more rules where government finds that the revenue sources are leaking. So we are trying to broadbase all these things, remove transaction cost both for the government and the investors," he said. The initial phase of the SEZ scheme, launched in 2006, saw developers coming out in huge numbers for projects. But after the imposition of Minimum Alternative Tax and Dividend Distribution Tax on SEZs in 2010-11, investors started losing interest as tax incentives were the major attraction for setting up of these enclaves. To boost investors' confidence, the commerce ministry plans to provide incentives for developers who want to set up SEZs in remote and undeveloped areas. It has proposed to relax minimum land area requirement for different categories of SEZs, besides extending to the units the benefits of export schemes already available to entities outside the zone. Asked when the government would come out with new norms and revise the existing policy, the commerce secretary said: "In another three to four weeks hopefully." (IANS) (New Kerala 26/7/12) Land not to be forcibly acquired, says administrati on (4) RANCHI: District administration officials on Thursday held a meeting with representatives of all 35 villages under Kanke block of the district and assured them that they would not be forcibly evicted. The meeting was convened on direction of Ranchi DC Vinay Kumar Choubey after villagers of the 35 villages participated in the agitation along with villagers of Nagri mauza who are protesting against the bid for land acquisition by the government to set up central educational institutions. District additional collector Deepankar Panda and district land acquisition officer Shailendra Lal told the villagers that the district administration had not received any proposal from any department related to acquisition of land for New Ranchi or any other project. Panda said the villagers were being misled as the administration is going to follow the norms which include seeking opinion of the villagers before any initiative to acquire land is taken. During the meeting, representatives of the villagers sought a written assurance and details of land acquisition in their area under the Right to Information Act. Addressing their concern, the RTI officer of district land acquisition office vide letter no. 1584 informed that no such requisition for land acquisition is pending before the office. The villagers assured that they were also not against development and they would be happy to handover infertile or fallow land to the administration for development projects. The villagers informed that within Kanke block, fallow land measuring around 1,900 acres are available on which they have no objection to setting up of projects or development work to be taken up by the

government. (Times of India 27/7/12) Medha Patkar seeks land rights for farmers (4) KEONJHAR: Social activist Medha Patkar on Sunday demanded land rights for farmers to protect their farms from being acquired for industrialization."We want land rights not acquisition. Like forest dwellers, farmers must also have rights on their land so that they are not taken away forcibly from anyone," said Patkar while attending an anti-land acquisition meeting at Silisuan village near Keonjhar town. The meeting was organized by Sterlite Birodhi Mancha (SBM)."There is a conspiracy at the national and the internationals to help companies to grab cultivated and forest land for industries and mines. No one can live with eating money or iron ore. We all need to eat food for our survival and this food comes from cultivation. Hence the government should protect cultivated land," she added. (Times of India 30/7/12) Maharashtra govt cancels 4 SEZs over land acquisiti on (4) Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Monday cancelled four major Special Economic Zones (SEZs) proposed by large business houses — Mahindra, Videocon and India Bulls — after having failed to acquire land for the multi-purpose projects. Earlier, stiff opposition to land acquisition by locals in Raigad had forced the scrapping of SEZ by Reliance. The decision was taken in the board meeting of Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) on Monday as land acquisition hurdles proved to be the major hindrance in starting the projects. These projects were proposed between 2007 and 2008 and were to be completed as joint ventures with MIDC. “There was stiff opposition to the land acquisition for these projects and they were not working out. They have been cancelled today in the meeting,” said Minister for Industries Narayan Rane. The four projects cancelled by the Board are: Multipurpose project by India Bulls spread across 1,936 hectares in Raigad district, Mahindra project spread across 3,000 hectare in Maval taluka in Pune and two projects by Videocon in Aurangabad and Pune. The project in Aurangabad was also a multi-purpose project spread across 2,763 hectare and the other in Wagholi in Pune over 1,000 hectares. Since the land was not acquired, the companies had not submitted detailed plans for the projects which would estimate the cost of the project, investments and possible jobs. “The companies either through act of omission or commission indicated that the proposals were not working out. SEZs were not in existence as no land was acquired, they had only been notified. Today’s decision ensures that the SEZ do not exist even on paper,” said a state government official. Maharashtra’s track record with SEZ is pretty dismal with only 64 of the 103 formally approved SEZs and 16 with in-principle approved SEZ being notified. A top official with one of the companies involved told Indian Express, “The government could not acquire the few thousand acres of land that was required for the project. We are not looking at other states right now because land acquisition problem remains the same everywhere. All projects and investments are stuck either because of land acquisition, equity or environmental clearance.” (Financial Express 1/8/12) Govt to take up land acquisition bill next week (4) NEW DELHI: The Centre is likely to take up the proposed amendment in Land Acquisition Act next week. Land resources secretary Anita Chaudhary on Wednesday said that the bill would also be introduced in Parliament during the monsoon session. Speaking at an event, Chaudhary said, "The government is only going to be a regulator and not regulating too much and that is the balance the bill is trying to make, not trying to put obstacles in the way of industrialization and, at the same time, farmers are not uprooted but rehabilitated and resettled." Real estate developers who attended the event said that the changes proposed in the land acquisition policy and the high cost of housing loans were making it difficult to provide affordable housing for the middle class. Responding to this, Chaudhary said, "The land acquisition bill is not against the interest of builder and industry." She denied that by drafting the new bill the government was acting as a regulator and was not putting obstructions. Chaudhary pointed out how the suggestion to include industrialization in the definition of "public purpose" had resulted in huge demand from other sectors to bring them under this domain. (Times of India 2/8/12) Farmers lay siege to Collectorate for scrapping KSE Z (4) Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, Aug 4 (UNI) Bookmark and Share Farmers owing allegiance to Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham today laid siege to Collectorate demanding scrapping of the Kakinada SEZ which has displaced a large number of farmer families with the acquisition of over 12,000 acres of fertile land by luring them with jobs in industries. They also formed a human chain earlier at the Zilla Parishad Centre denouncing the state and Central Governments for turning a deaf ear to farmers' problems. The stir was organised by the AP Rythu Sangham as a part of its 'Rythu Poru Baata' that started on August 1 at Sompeta in Srikakulam district. AP Rythu Sangham State Secretary

Ravula Venkaiah, who led the stir, told mediapersons that both the state and Central Governments had left the farmers in the lurch with their lopsided policies. He said the farmers were now restive and no more tolerant to the injustice being meted out to them. He said the AP Rythu Sangham was demanding among other things introduction of a special budget for agriculture on the lines of railway budget and scrapping of Land Acquisition Act,1894. The government should immediately convene an all party meeting on the farmers problems, including those displaced under irrigation projects and special economic zones. Later, he called on Collector Neethu Kumari in a delegation and presented a memorandum on the farmers problems. (UNI) (New Kerala 5/8/12) Haryana CM for state role in land deal (4) KOLKATA: Even though the Mamata Banerjee government has time and again ruled out the possibility of state intervention for acquisition of land for industry, chief minister of Haryana B S Hooda feels that the state should deal with this problem with an open mind. He indicated that some kind of hand-holding in land acquisition is needed. However, he made it clear that the state should intervene when the company has already acquired at least 60-70% of the land required for the project. He was speaking at an event by the MCC Chamber of Commerce. When asked whether it is possible to acquire land for industry without the state help, Hooda said it is not impossible, but in the same breath Haryana chief ministeradded that his government helps industry in acquiring land for connectivity. "If 1,000 acres are required for any project, we advise the company to buy 700 acres. If they request us to acquire the remaining 300 acres for connectivity, we do that. We also offer land to firms in the industrial parks," he added. It may be noted that some of the projects in Bengal have been delayed because the promoters could not acquire small stretches of land required for connectivity. Haryana chief minister complained that industrialists always try to lower the cost of land by paying less. "They (industrialists) always try to minimize land cost though it is only 3-4% of the project cost. As a farmer, I can understand the importance of land to a farmer. So, they should be compensated properly. We have revised our compensation policy which is the best in the country now," he added. According to Hooda, apart from price of the land, Haryana government has introduced 33 years annuity for the land losers. "We are upgrading the land pooling policy further. Now, the land losers will be a partner in the project. The land losers will get a portion of the developed land from the promoters after the completion of the project which he can sell or retain for commercial purpose," he added. Meanwhile, Hooda is confidant that Maruti won't pull out from his state following militant trade unionism in Manesar and subsequent invitation to shift base by states like Bengal and Gujarat. "It's a stray incident. The crime rate in Haryana is the lowest and the man days lost also is the lowest. We have spoken to Maruti management and they are satisfied," Hooda added. (Times of India 6/8/12) Mamata govt moves SC against HC on Singur land (4) New Delhi: The Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government has moved the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court order, which struck down the Singur Land Act that allowed the state government to reclaim 400 acres of land given to Tata Motors. In its appeal, filed through advocate Abhijit Sen Gupta, the state government said the high court has erred in quashing the Act. In a blow to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the high court had on June 22 ruled that the legislation enacted by her government to recover the land leased to Tata Motors in Singur for its small car project was constitutionally invalid. The Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act 2011 sought to empower the state government to take back 400 acres of land, given to Tata Motors for its Nano small car project. The court, on an appeal by Tata Motors Ltd, observed that President's assent had not been taken for the Act and as such it was void and unconstitutional. The court also observed that what was done in Singur was acquisition of land by the said Act and as such it was void. The implementation of the order was, however, stayed for two months by the division bench to allow the aggrieved party to appeal to the Supreme Court. The division bench had set aside the order of single bench which had held the Act to be constitutional. (Indian Express 7/8/12) Akhilesh says no land acquisition without farmers' consent (4) NOIDA: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said no land acquisition would be done without the consent of farmers and cases lodged against them during the previous government would be withdrawn. "SP in its election manifesto had said that land would not be taken without the consent of the farmers. If they do not permit, the SP government will not take any decision," Akhilesh said while inaugurating the 165-kilometre-long Yamuna Expressway between Agra and Noida developed by Jaypee Group at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore. He said that prosperity and cooperation of the farmers was necessary. Stressing on the importance of good roads, he said, "We are heading forward with this approach. Arrangements will be made to connect the district headquarters and wherever it is feasible.

Large scale development will take place if there are good roads," he said. Alleging that the previous BSP regime lodged false cases against farmers, Yadav said all such cases would be withdrawn. Akhilesh requested commuters not to exceed the 100km speed mark on the new expressway. He said that while the expressway has been completed some work was still to be done. "Service lane is not constructed properly and it should be completed at the earliest. Facility of hospitals and schools has to be given and development of villages should also take place," he said. The CM said neither Noida-Greater Noida road would be included in the expressway nor any toll would be realised. "Previous government included Noida-Greater Noida road in the expressway and even levied toll, but it would not be included and even company people agree with that," he said. Akhilesh said that SP government was not in favour of Ganga Expressway and no work would be done on it. He said that Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal regions should also get connected with expressways so that development can be done there. SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav, present on the occasion, asked the concerned company to provide parallel service roads to the adjoining villages so that the villagers have toll free access from one village to another through the service roads. (Times of India 9/8/12) HC orders CBI probe into land acquisition in Bathin da (4) CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday directed the CBI to probe into a recent land acquisition at Mandi Khurd in Bathinda that allegedly benefitted businessmen close to chief minister Prakash Singh Badal's family. The HC ordered the CBI to complete the probe within a month. The order came after Mandi Khurd-resident Jarnail Singh filed a petition against the acquisition for a waste management plant. Singh in his petition alleged that three businessmen, including Yadwinder Singh who is close to revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia, brother-in-law of deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, benefitted by around Rs 5.63 crore through the acquisition and resulted in losses in crores to the state exchequer. The petition stated that the government could have used around 36 acres of land it had in Bathinda for the plant. But the government instead acquired land in Mandi Khurd just to benefit the businessmen, the petition alleged. Majithia is the state president of ruling Shiromani Akali Dal's youth wing, while Yadwinder is its Ludhiana unit head. The petition alleged that the businessmen knew that around 36 acres of land was to be acquired in Mandi Khurd for the plant and bought this land at cheaper rates. The businessmen got heavily compensated by the government when it acquired the land in February 2011, states the petition. It said a survey of the land in Mundi Khurd was conducted a year earlier. Most of this land had been purchased by Yadwinder Singh and two other politically influential families on February 18 and 23, 2010 for 1.59 crore. (Times of India 9/8/12) Land acquisition derailing pace of Pollachi – Podan ur gauge conversion (4) COIMBATORE: The process of land acquisition for 20.5 km in six revenue villages along the Podanur – Pollachi section was derailing the pace of gauge conversion works, railway officials said. Senior officials from the Construction Wing of Southern Railway, Chennai, led by Chief Administrative Officer K. Vijayakumar inspected the ongoing works from Podanur to Pollachi. Mr. Vijayakumar said that Southern Railway was already on the job of co-ordinating with the State Government for expediting land acquisition in Kinathukkadavu, Chettipalayam, Nallattipalayam, Kodangipalayam, Solavampalayam and Arasampalayam. Operation of trains on the meter gauge section was suspended to enable gauge conversion works as early as 2009. The Coimbatore – Pollachi – Dindigul section gauge conversion for 160 km and Pollachi – Palakkad section work for 50 km were taken up at a cost of Rs. 568 crore. Officials said that works in respect of gauge conversion from Dindigul to Palani had been completed and after inspection by the Commissioner of Rail Safety, the line would be thrown open for passenger train traffic by September 2012.Gauge conversion works in respect of Palani and Pollachi sections have neared 70 per cent completion and the remaining work was being expedited. It would be completed before the end of this year. Works in respect of gauge conversion on the Pollachi – Palakkad section was getting delayed because of too many bridges and problems related to erection of pillars for the bridges. In addition to this, contractual failure and change of contractor for Mudhalamada section also contributed to the delay. Mr. Vijayakumar said that the Commissioner of Land Administration, Chennai, and the Coimbatore District Administration were taking steps to expedite the land acquisition process in respect of the works relating to the Podanur – Pollachi section. After an inordinate delay, the Southern Railway had earlier fixed March 2012 as the deadline for the completion of the gauge conversion for the entire 210 km. But owing to contractual failures, land acquisition delay and rains, the works were delayed. (The Hindu 10/8/12) Govt to come out with new norms to revive sagging f ortunes of SEZs (4) NEW DELHI: In a bid to revive the sagging fortunes of the special economic zones (SEZs), which have

become unattractive for the industry after imposition of taxes, the Commerce Ministry will soon come out with new norms that could contain incentives to take things forward. Ever since the Government imposed the Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) and Dividend Distribution Tax on SEZs in 2010-11, they have lost their sheen and many corporate houses have backed out of their plans to set up SEZs. A number of them have either withdrawn their proposal or put their plans in abeyance waiting for the Government to come clear on the issue. The government is considering relaxing the minimum land area requirement for different categories of SEZs, besides extending the benefits of export schemes to SEZ units which are already available to entities outside the zone. To boost investor confidence in the zones, the government is planning incentives for developers who want to set up SEZs in remote and undeveloped areas. According to the Commerce Secretary, S.R. Rao, the Government is on the verge of completing all the inter-Ministerial negotiations on the issue and closure could be achieved within the next five to six weeks. “New rules would be put in place by early next month,” he added. The Direct Taxes Codes (DTC), being considered by Parliament, proposes to do away with the income tax exemption given to them and instead link tax sops to investments made in them. Profit-linked benefits were the main attraction of the SEZ scheme. The initial phase of SEZ scheme, launched in 2006, saw developers lining up in big numbers for projects. Exports from SEZs stood at Rs. 3.65 lakh crore in 2011-12. With investment of Rs. 2.02 crore, these zones provide employment to over 8.45 lakh. Overseas shipments from the 153 operational tax-free havens have come down to 12 per cent of the country's total exports in 2011-12, from about 30 per cent in the previous years. (The Hindu 14/8/12) Complaint filed against public servants (4) Panaji: A criminal complaint was filed on Saturday against some public servants and private persons for cheating the state exchequer while allotting land to seven companies to set up Special Economic Zones in Goa. Mandar Shirodkar, deputy general manager of state-owned Goa Industrial Development Corporation(GIDC), filed the complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Vigilance Department against private persons and public servants whose names were not revealed. The complaint said that the accused hatched criminal conspiracy and manipulated documents to cheat the state government in connivance with officials of GIDC in 2006, according to a press note. A senior official from Vigilance Department said that an FIR has been filed under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act. Vast tracts of lands were allotted to various companies by the then state government to set up SEZs. However, after massive protests, the SEZ plans were scrapped. CAG, in its report two years back, had pointed out that land was alloted to different companies to set up SEZs at a lower prize. (Zee News 18/8/12) Cabinet will take call on SEZ inclusion in land law (4) NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet will determine if consent of landowners and higher compensation will apply to acquisition of land for special economic zones (SEZs). The rural development ministry has ignored the objections of the commerce ministry that SEZs be kept out of the purview of the Land Acquisition Act. The commerce ministry said inclusion of economic enclaves under the new law, imposing higher compensation and consent of 80% landowners on acquisition process, would render the manufacturing industry unviable. Sources said the renamed 'Right to fair compensation, resettlement, rehabilitation and transparency in land acquisition bill, 2011' will go to the Cabinet which will take a call on the issue of SEZs. Despite rural development ministry's view, insiders feel sections of UPA are wary of putting SEZs under the land law that they feel would complicate the process of acquisition. The concern prompted the Centre to reject the advice of a parliamentary committee that government have no role in acquiring land for private projects including Public Private Partnership projects. Rampant accusations that states were colluding with realtors and industry to abuse their absolute powers to take over land forced the Centre to tighten acquisition norms. But the changes have triggered concern that they could impede industrialization. The changes propose that compensatory land price be double the market rate in urban areas and it could be four times in rural pockets. At the same time, higher awareness among farmers/landowners has compelled the Centre to factor in their approval in acquisition process. At least 80% landowners will have to give their consent for government to acquire land. Observers said the provisions would make the acquisition process longer than it is under the 1894 law. (Times of India 18/8/12) ‘More debate needed on land acquisition Bill’ (4) Bangalore: The former Chief Justice of India S. Rajendra Babu has said that lawmakers should remind themselves of their moral and legal duties while formulating the land acquisition policy. He was speaking at a seminar on “Right to Life and the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Bill 2011” organised by the

Karnataka (India) Section of the International Commission of Jurists (KS-ICJ) in Bangalore on Saturday. Mr. Rajendra Babu said that as land acquisition affects several generations of families involved, more debate on the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Bill is necessary. He underlined the need to remove the imbalances in the system of land acquisition. Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vikramajit Senointed out that computation of compensation is the core litigated issue as it [compensation] is calculated based on the latest or the highest price of the land registered, whereas, in India, actual market value is seldom reflected in the land sale deeds. Referring to the huge compensation, though not the market value, paid to the people in Noida, Gurgaon and other places around New Delhi, he alleged that there was an increase in instances of drug abuse and violence in those places. He alleged that those who had received compensation for their acquired land indulged in erratic spending because they could not manage such huge sums for lack of education, and they were only engaged in farm activities. He stressed on the need for deliberation on the bar on acquisition of only multi-cropped land, clarity on reference made in the Bill about “partial” acquisition in favour of private firms, etc. (The Hindu 19/8/12) Haryana comes up with new scheme for land acquisiti on (4) NEW DELHI: Haryana is now offering a new 'land pooling' scheme to douse protests against land acquisition for industrial development, which provides an option for land owners to become "partners" in the development process. The government expects to find favour among land owners in the National Capital Region (NCR) where land prices sky rocket after development. The scheme was announced soon after a major protest against land acquisition for industrial development in Rewari. According to the scheme, people owning over half acre of land, which government intends to acquire for industrial development, can opt for this scheme. They would have the option of getting a developed industrial plot or can take the government rate of a similar industrial plot. The amount would be paid as soon as the industry department floats tenders for plot allotment. The land owners opting for developed plot will also have the right to sell them. The industries and commerce department notified this scheme on August 14. According to norms, the land owners would have to opt for this soon after government issues notification under section-4 (intention to acquire land) of Land Acquisition Act. They would have the choice to opt for a 1,200 sq yard developed land for each one acre of land proposed to be acquired. This would cover all compensation package and other benefits. Those losing half acre would get a 600 sq yard plot. The scheme will be applicable where land acquisition process has started. The policy makes it clear that in case the plot sizes are less than the entitlement than for the government will pay compensation and other benefits for the differential land. For example, if the entitlement is for 600 sq yards and the standard size of industrial plot carved out is 450 sq meters the landowner will be allotted a 450 sq meters developed plot and receive the payment for the balance land calculated at the allotment price determined at the time of first floatation. "More land owners in and around NCR would opt for this since they would have the freedom to rent out, sell or start an industry on a developed plot. In hinterland, we feel people will go for compensation and other benefits," an industry department official said. The landowners can also request for advance part payment of the developed land price at the time of award. This advance amount compounded with 9% annual interest will be adjusted against the final amount when the tenders for industrial plots are floated. (Times of India 20/8/12) Cabinet defers land acquisition bill (4) New Delhi: The much-awaited land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement bill got deferred in the cabinet on Thursday, raising doubts about the possibility of its passage during the monsoon session. The bill, sources said, was added to the agenda just hours before the cabinet met. “It was the 15th agenda of the meeting. By the time the cabinet could come to it, it was 6pm.” The land bill, that earlier faced political resistance, failed to get full support of all ministries in the inter-ministerial consultations held during the past one month. The commerce and industry ministry felt that the bill needs to be more flexible towards SEZ and industries. The cabinet, however, approved amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act that aims to curb money laundering and terror financing. According to the bill, such activities will be considered as terrorist acts. The bill with all amendments will be introduced in the monsoon session. Meanwhile, the cabinet approved the restructuring of share-holding in East-West metro corridor of Kolkata. Accepting the demand of Trinamool Congress, the cabinet gave 74% share of the project to the railways while urban development ministry will retain rest 26% share. Earlier, the Centre and the state government had 50:50 share. The cabinet will set up an Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (IIAB) at Ranchi for Rs. 287.50 crore and approved Rs. 121.10 crore to set up National Institute of Biotic Stress Management at Raipur. (Hindustan Times 23/8/12) Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee slams Bengal's land policy (4)

KOLKATA/BANKURA: Four days after Assocham gave a wake-up call to the Mamata Banerjee government saying the investment proposals in Bengal have dropped to Rs 5.84 lakh crore from Rs 9 lakh crore in last three years, former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Sunday alleged that the government is, in fact, walking backwards in attracting investments. with not a single industry taking shape in the Trinamool's one-and-a-half years in power. Like Assocham, Bhattacharjee also cited the government's stand on land acquisition for private industry as the major roadblock. Speaking at a DYFI rally in Bankura's Tamlibandh, Bhattacharjee said: "Only agriculture can't take us forward. We have to set up industries to provide jobs to youths. This government will not acquire land for industry. Then how will industry come to this state? As a result, not a single new industry has come to Bengal in the past year and a half. Whatever is happening has been set up during the Left Front regime. The Jindal's steel factory was inaugurated during our time. We had tried to acquire land for two more steel units in Purulia. We are fortunate that they haven't left the state yet, but the work has stopped." The former CM also took potshots against the TMC led government on job front. "This government claims to have created three-lakh jobs in Bengal. Are people mad to believe this? Who are these people who've got these jobs? Do you know a single person among you to have got a government job in the past year and a half?" he asked. Bhattacharjee's claims, only a day after chief minister Mamata Banerjee spoke to over 15,000 youths at the Trinamool Congress Yuva convention, is possibly aimed to address a sizeable section of the new electorate. The 13-35 age group in Bengal stands at a whopping 42.57% of the total 9.13 crore population, whose literacy rate is more than the national average. "Where will the engineering students get jobs? Why only them? Why others who didn't get the opportunity to study that far, would be denied a job? Now, there are not enough people to study in the 40-50 engineering colleges we had set up in our tenure," Bhattacharjee added. "What we had set up in the past 34 years are being slowly undone. Look at what is happening in the villages. Fertilizer prices are rising and yet food grain prices are dropping. Where will the cultivator sell his produce? The rice mill owners refuse to take them too. In our regime, we had slowly stepped up food grain production to nearly 140 metric tonnes. This year, it is slightly above 100 MT and the next year it will dip further. Are we staring a food scarcity then?" he asked. "Now, the government's only job is to threaten judges, commission heads and even media. This is because it can't control the free-run of anti-socials. Cases of extortion, robbery or snatching are being reported daily. Things are even worse for the women. Everyday somewhere, someone is being attacked. It is for the people to judge now," he said. (Times of India 27/8/12) Land Acquisition Bill referred to GoM (4) NEW DELHI: The controversial Land Acquisition Bill was on Tuesday referred to a Group of Ministers (GoM) after some ministers raised reservations on certain provisions of the proposed legislation and said their suggestions were not heard adequately. "Lot of ministries have given their suggestions. They were not adequately heard and hence the matter has been referred to GoM," a government source said. A GoM will be set up shortly to examine the proposal. The amended Bill has been rechristened as 'The Right to Fair Compensation, Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Transparency in Land Acquisition'. The Bill was listed for consideration last week but it was deferred as some ministers sought more time to go through it. The government had said in Parliament that provisions have been made in the revised Land Acquisition Bill incorporating recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee to protect the rights of farmers on land and to check the number of families displaced by land acquisition. Seeking to dispel the impression that the Bill will only be pro-farmer, rural development ministry had said current economic circumstances dictate the need for making it "more investor-friendly".According to the government, the Bill "endeavours to protect multi-cropped irrigated lands from land acquisition, so as not to adversely affect food safety of the country".The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 was introduced in Parliament in September last year and was referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee, which submitted its recommendation in May. (Times of India 28/8/12) Mamata 'prefers death to forcible land acquisition' (4) ITAHAR (WB): Sticking to her stand of not acquiring land forcibly, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said said she would prefer death than agree to it. "I am against acquisition of land forcibly. We will not acquire land by pointing guns at farmers. I will prefer death than acquire land forcibly from farmers," Banerjee said here in North Dinajpur district on the second day of her tour of five districts. "I went on a 26-day fast and was about to die, but did not compromise," she said referring to her 26-day hunger-strike in December 2006 to demand return of 400 acre to farmers who unwillingly parted with their land for the Tata Motors small car project at Singur. The immediate provocation of Banerjee's comment appeared to be targetted at Congress MP Deepa Dasmunshi who had earlier criticised her government for non-cooperation in acquiring land for an AIIMS-like hospital at Raiganj in North Dinajpur. Without

naming Dasmunshi who is MP from Raiganj, Banerjee said "I see that some here are engaged in politicking over the hospital at Raiganj. "I am telling those who are criticizing me that we will not acquire land forcibly. 100 acre of land will be required. Let them those are politicking arrange the land. I have no objection," she said. The chief minister also announced the setting up of two multi-specialty hospitals at Raiganj and Islampur. (Times of India 31/8/12) Didi refuses to acquire land for AIIMS (4) Kolkata: Accusing Congress MP Deepa Das Munshi of playing politics over the proposed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Raiganj in North Dinajpur district, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday made it clear that her government would not provide land for it. “For quite some time, some people are doing politics over AIIMS in Raiganj. I want to inform them that our government will not acquire land for it because it is against our policy to acquire farmland by placing gun on the heads of the farmers. I myself had gone on a 26-day fast to stop the forcible acquisition of unwilling farmers’ land in Singur,” she added. Ms Banerjee was speaking at a rally at North Dinajpur’s Itahar. Without naming her, Ms Banerjee put the onus of arranging land on Ms Das Munshi. “If those who are criticising us can arrange 100 acres of land in Raiganj then we have no objection to the setting up of AIIMS here. But our stand is clear: I will not forcibly acquire land even if I have to die,” she added. Although she ruled out land for AIIMS, the chief minister said she would set up a super-speciality hospital in Raiganj as well as in Islampur. Taking pot-shots at Ms Das Munshi (again without naming her) Ms Banerjee said that she was agitating over AIIMS just for the sake of votes. “After the election, you will not find these people for 10-15 years,” she added. Rejecting her charge, Ms Das Munshi said that it was the chief minister who was doing politics over AIIMS. “By refusing to acquire land she has made it clear that she does not want AIIMS to be set up in Raiganj. If the promises she made in her Itahar rally are true then why she wants to deprive the people of the district and of North Bengal of a hospital like AIIMS?” she asked. Dismissing Ms Banerjee’s proposal that if she could arrange the land then the state government would have no objection, Ms Das Munshi said that this was the responsibility of state and not individuals. “The Centre decided to set up an AIIMS like hospital in Raiganj and in Rae Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. The entire cost is being borne by the Centre but the land has to be provided by the state. In Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav has already acquired land but here the chief minister is trying to shirk her responsibility. She is doing politics on AIIMS and not the Congress,” Ms Das Munshi said. She even claimed that contrary to Ms Banerjee’s claim, the farmers of Raiganj were willing to give their land for AIIMS. She even threatened to renew her agitation against the state government’s refusal to allot land for AIIMS in Raiganj. “Didi realises that if AIIMS is set up in Raiganj then Deepa’s popularity and power will increase even further which she obviously will not like,” a Trinamul Congress MLA said. Ms Das Munshi and Adhir Chowdhury of Murshidabad have been known Mamata-baiter in the Congress. On Wednesday, the chief minister had addressed a rally in Adhir’s citadel Berhampore but she did not utter a word against him. (Asian Age 1/9/12) India's largest open cast mine in land row (4) KORBA: While parliament remains stalled over the CAG report on coal block allocations, a land acquisition row threatens to disrupt production at India's largest open cast coal mine. In fact, it exposes a deeper malaise that afflicts India's coal sector, where private companies, according to CAG, were given coal blocks for a pittance even as government coal companies sit on massive coal deposits. Spread over nearly 20 sq km, the Gevra mines in Chhattisgarh's Korba district are the single largest source of power grade coal in India containing more than 10,000 million tonnes of reserves that alone can meet the country's coal needs more than a decade. Since production began in Gevra in 1981, more than 400 million tonnes of coal have been shoveled out of a gigantic pit, larger than any other open cast coal mine in Asia. But reserves in Gevra's existing mining area are low and fresh land needs to be acquired urgently for expansion. In an environment assessment report, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), the government company that runs the mines, estimated an additional 1,400 acres or six sq km of farmland would be required to expand capacity to 35 million tonnes per annum. A notification for land acquisition was issued early in 2001 but over the next decade, compensation rates were not finalised, until the last shovels of coal began to be scrapped from the existing mine area, and the company rushed to announce compensation rates in accordance with Chhattisgarh's rehabilitation policy, which range from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per acre, depending on land fertility. But a sticking point remained: the question of jobs. "We want jobs for everyone who is losing land to the mines," says Mohar Singh, a farmer in Pondi village, where ground awash with green paddy drops precipitously into a desolate valley emptied of coal. He adds, "When the company acquired part of the village in 1981, it gave jobs to every farmer who lost land, even if it was merely two decimals of land (100 decimals equal an acre)."…. (Times of India 3/9/12)

Mopa farmers demand adequate compensation (4) PANAJI: Farmers likely to be affected by the land acquisition for the construction of Mopa aiport have demanded that they be compensated adequately with same type of agricultural land as they have no other source of livelihood. Farmers from villages around the Mopa plateau submitted their objections to the special land acquisition officer ( SLAO), Mopa cell, M K Vasta, on Monday after the government initiated a fresh process to acquire land for the airport project recently."If the government wants our land, and if the acquisition is urgent, we also want equal compensation in kind, that is agricultural land," a farmer told TOI on Monday. Mopa Vimantal Pidit Xetkari Samiti has strongly opposed the acquisition, alleging that the project is being pushed forcibly without even an environmental impact assessment ( EIA), to promote real estate instead of infrastructure. The acquisition is illegal, unfeasible and only designed for large-scale speculation with Pernem taluka's land resources and will have disastrous consequences for the ecology of villages, which rely on more than 50 springs and streams flowing from the plateau, the Samiti alleged. The government had initiated the land acquisition under Section 4 of Land Acquisition Act, and farmers had been asked to show with proof their interest in the land. The acquisition process has been done without taking into account the order of the high court of Bombay at Panaji, the farmers alleged. In its order a few months back, the court had ruled that the state government is competent to initiate the land acquisition proceedings, but directed the state government to hold hearings under Section 5-A of the Land Acquisition Act within a period of 30 days to the petitioners. (Times of India 4/9/12) Citizens' body wants rehabilitate for evicted famil ies in Manipur (4) IMPHAL: The Citizens Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) urged the Manipur government on Wednesday to immediately rehabilitate about 17 families that were evicted from the Lamphel Yaipha Leikai area in Imphal West. The CCDD demanded that the government revoke its eviction order of June 3, 2011. Labelling the people of the area as encroachers, the government, which had a plan to set up a water body and the National Institute of Technology (NIT) complex around the area, evicted the victim's houses. "About 70 villagers, affected by the eviction drive at Lamphel Yaipha Leikai, have now become refugees in their own land. They have nowhere to go and no one to care for them," said a CCDD statement. "There is no reason for the government to issue election identity cards and other documents such as BPL cards to them if they are encroachers in the first place," the statement charged. CCDD sought the government's clarification on who is an encroacher at Lamphelpat and to present a white paper on the number of encroachers in Lamphelpat wetlands. The organization also asked the government to take appropriate steps to prosecute all those responsible for allowing such encroachment, it said. "It is unfortunate that the government selectively evicts families even though a comprehensive policy for wetland management or a separate Lamphelpat management policy is still absent. The government also promotes encroachers in Lamphelpat," the statement said. "The victims have been depending on fishing, grazing and collection of seasonable plants in the Lamphelpat for over thirty years and as such, they have every right to be adequately rehabilitated as per the housing rights and rights of indigenous peoples provided by our country," the statement said. It said the comprehensive drainage scheme for Lamphelpat near Lamphel Yaipha Leikai under JNURRM, has already been completed without affecting the land and homestead belonging to the eviction victims. So, the CCDD urged upon the government to make an alternate rehabilitation arrangement for the eviction victims in close consultation with them, either in their original land at Yaipha Leikai or other alternate places acceptable to them. (Times of India 6/9/12) Vedanta says plant closure won't hit aluminium outp ut (4) Mumbai: Vedanta Aluminium's plan to shut its alumina refinery in Odisha will not hit its aluminium output because it aims to treble imports of the raw material, a company official said on Thursday. The company, part of billionaire Anil Agarwal's Vedanta Group, intends to implement a temporary shutdown of its Lanjigarh refinery from December 5 because of bauxite shortages, its president Mukesh Kumar said on Thursday. India, the world's fifth-biggest bauxite producer, has been limiting the issue of bauxite leases mainly because of local protests over land acquisition. Vedanta has asked the government for help in obtaining bauxite supplies because mining plans have become mired in litigation and protests by residents. It has even called for a ban on bauxite exports. "After shutdown of Lanjigarh plant we will be left with no option other than to meet full requirement through imports," Kumar said, adding that it will need to buy an additional one million tonnes a year. Kumar said that the softening of global alumina prices would help the company to step up imports. Aluminium prices have been under pressure because of the slowing global economy. Vedanta needs 10,000 tonnes of bauxite a day to operate the Lanjigarh

plant at its full capacity of one million tonnes a year. The refinery is currently operating at 70 percent capacity and supplies alumina to Vedanta's Jharsuguda smelter in Odisha, which can produce 500,000 tonnes of aluminium a year. India produces about 1.6 million tonnes of aluminium a year and consumes about 1.3 million tonnes. Aluminium demand in Asia's third-largest economy is expected to grow by 7 to 8 percent a year, led by its power transmission, construction and automobile sectors. The country' aluminium exports are expected to rise by 5 percent to 325,000 tonnes in the year to March 31, 2013. (Financial Chronicle 6/9/12) Chhattisgarh high court strips 4 power companies of land (4) NEW DELHI: The Chhattisgarh high court has quashed a land acquisition order by the state government for four power projects, including one of SKS Ispat and Power Ltd, the firm under a cloud for its links with Union minister Subodh Kant Sahai. Justice Prashant Mishra held on Tuesday that the state had misused its powers of eminent domain to acquire land since the coal-based power projects did not constitute 'public purpose'. The court called the acquisition a "colourable exercise of power" and asked the state to pay Rs 5,000 each as damages to each petitioner. "The order is significant in the context of the current furore over private firms getting access to coal blocks for free. It shows that the same companies also got access to land for cheap, facilitated by the state," said Sanjay Kumar, who appeared on behalf of 62 farmers from Siladih and Birra where the government has acquired 790 acres of land for Moser Baer's 1320MW power project and also two petitioners from Akaltara where KSK Energy is setting up a 3600 MW project. Eight separate pleas had been filed by 100-odd villagers who stood to lose their land in Raigarh and Janjgir Champa districts to four firms — SKS Power, KSK Energy, Moser Baer and Visa Power. The acquisition was done under Section 2 of the Land Acquisition Act which empowers the government to forcibly acquire land on a fast-track basis for 'public purpose'. But the court held that land for private companies can only be acquired under Section 7, which mandates that companies seek government intervention only after private negotiations with farmers have failed. "The companies did not negotiate with farmers. They simply signed agreements with the government informing them of the location where they wanted land," said Hamida Siddiqui, who represented petitioners from Deori and Dumarpali who lost land to Visa Power. "The state government, in turn, issued a notification stating it was acquiring land for 'industrial use'," said Harsh Wardhan, the lawyer who represented 29 villagers from Binjkot village in Raigarh, where 357 acres of land was transferred to SKS Power. The land was officially acquired in the name of Chhattisgarh State Industrial Corporation (CSIDC) which leased it out to the companies. "The project's life is 25 years but the lease was signed for 99 years, effectively transferring the land to the company," said Sanjay Kumar. Moser Baer said it had paid advance premium to CSIDC for the land but till date no land has been leased out. "The state government had initiated process of acquisition as per the previaling industrial policy of the state," it said. N Baijendra Kumar, spokesman for Chhattisgarh government, said the government was examining the order and exploring legal options. SKS Ltd declined comment and the other two firms could not be reached. (Times of India 6/9/12) Farm land acquired for coal projects to get better rates (4) CHANDRAPUR: The farmers from Chandrapur, Yavatmal and Nagpur districts whose lands have been acquired for coal mining projects are set to get an extra benefit to the tune of Rs 1,650 crore following a recent amendment in Land Acquisition policy, said member of parliament Hansraj Ahir. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Ahir stated that his decade-long efforts for better compensation to farmers had borne fruit. Farmers who had to surrender their lands to government projects for a paltry sum ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1,00,000 would now be getting Rs 6 lakh per acre for fallow land, Rs 8 lakh per acre for cultivated land and Rs 10 lakh per acre for irrigated land as compensation here after, as per the new GR by the state government. "There are at least 20 projects, four in Majri area, three in Wani North area, three in Wani area, two in Chandrapur area, three in Ballarpur area, two in Nagpur area and three in Umred area of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) under Coal India Limited, in which farmers are set to reap the benefit due to the amendment in GR," Ahir said. He stated that the state government had issued a GR on May 25, 2012, on the issue of awarding compensation to the farmers on Chhattisgarh pattern, declaring the new rates for compensation ranging from Rs6 lakh per acre to Rs10 lakh per acre. But clause no. 4 in the GR stipulated that the new rate of compensation would not be applicable to the farmers whose lands have been acquired for the projects under Land Acquisition Act 1894. "The clause would have restricted the benefits to only four or five projects out of a total of 38 projects in these districts. I had to take up the issue once again with the state government and the chief minister who, after a meeting with the ministers, issued the amended GR, deleting clause no. 4 and directing Coal India Limited to acquire land under its Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) Policy which brought relief to the project affected people of 20 such projects" said Ahir. He also said that as per the conditions stipulated in

GR, one member from the family of project affected farmer who have handed over a minimum of two acres of land for the project would be given employment and other benefits of rehabilitation would also be applicable, he added. Ahir, whose efforts led to exposure of a massive 1.86 lakh crore Coalgate scam, termed this benefit brought to farmers as one of his biggest achievements as a people's representative. (Times of India 11/9/12) People move govt over Vedanta plant closure (4) BALANGIR: Around 700 people, including employees and families displaced by Vedanta Alumina Limited at Kalahandi's Lanjigarh, met the district collector at Bhawanipatna on Tuesday and requested him to ensure supply of bauxite to the factory so that it does not shut down. They said closure of VAL would affect the livelihood of 20,000 locals, who are either directly or indirectly benefitting from the factory set up in 2004. Earlier, the chief operating officer (COO) of VAL Mukesh Kumar had written to the state government intimating it about the factory's closure from December 5. The displaced families and around 160 VAL employees belonging to Kalahandi and Rayagada districts have been living under apprehension. "Since 2004, there has been considerable improvement in the lives of tribals. The displaced families, who gave away their land, have also been rehabilitated by the company. Local youths were also employed by VAL. Therefore, we appeal to the state government to facilitate supply of bauxite so that lives of local tribals can be saved", said Srikanta Bohidar, who is working as an associate officer in corporate social responsibility wing of VAL. He said though the state government had promised to provide 150 MT of bauxite it later reneged on its promise. Kalahandi collector Dukhishyam Satpathy said the displaced families and some VAL employees came to him to submit the memorandum. "The displaced families, who have been staying in rehabilitation colonies appealed to me to send the message to the state government not to close down the factory. The employees, who are being benefitted directly or indirectly by VAL also made a request," the collector said. (Times of India 12/9/12) Land acquisition bill refines meaning of ‘public in terest’ (4) NEW DELHI: Its fate uncertain after drawing the ire of several Cabinet ministers for being a growth inhibitor, the landmark bill on land acquisition and rehabilitation represents the first serious attempt to make social and environmental cost appraisal intrinsic to development. Current laws stipulate forest and environmental clearances for all sorts of projects, but the land acquisition and rehabilitation bill makes estimation of a tipping point — where costs can exceed benefits — central to planning in a way that has not been attempted before. At the heart of the proposed law is the principle of ensuring development does not come at the cost of severe and irreparable social and environmental damage. The bill's social impact assessment mechanism gives voice to the views of a tribe of economists who argue the growth debate is skewed. A growth rate of 9% is deceptive if it does not account for the economic costs of social and environmental disruption. Evaluating "threshold" values is deciding how much land can be acquired so that the stress on natural resources needed to sustain the project can avoid disasters that have led to court intervention as in the recent ban on groundwater extraction in Gurgaon. The amended bill referred to a GoM after a stormy Cabinet meeting proposes to define the evaluation process closely. It says an expert group will examine "as to whether proposed acquisition serves public interest" instead of the earlier remit of "nature of public interest". A project can be rejected if it does not serve "any public purpose" — a change from the "stated public purpose". And experts will consider if "the costs and advantages of the project outweigh the potential benefits". (Times of India 14/9/12) Finance Minister opposes amendment of SEZ Act (4) New Delhi: Commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma’s move to give special economic zone (SEZ) a fresh lease of life faces stiff opposition from finance minister P Chidambaram. The finance minister, on September 12, wrote on the SEZ file, “I have serious reservations on the current policy on, and performance of, SEZs. They are not infrastructure-driven zones but tax exemption-driven zones. We should press our objections and views.” The matter has reached the finance minister for the first time since May this year, when the commerce ministry had approached the finance ministry for amending the SEZ Act, to make it more attractive for developers. Although officials of both the ministries have met on several occasions on the issue, they are yet to reach a conclusion. “We are now looking at issuing new guidelines on SEZs and are conducting very serious negotiations with the revenue department. Very soon there will be revised guidelines where we will restore interest and their attractiveness. We will see how we can make SEZs viable for investors… guidelines will have greater degree of clarity,” Sharma had said on Tuesday while addressing a business forum in Czech Republic. The commerce ministry wants to announce a revised SEZ policy, which substantially liberalises land requirement and other norms. However, the revenue department under the finance ministry argues that such policy will only encourage

industry to get an SEZ status to avail tax breaks among other benefits. According to sources, “If the commerce department wants any amendments to the SEZ act, then they should take the matter to the Cabinet and get an approval. A point which commerce ministry has been opposing all through out.” (Indian Express 15/9/12) Gujarat Ecology Commission calls for debate on land acquisition law (4) GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC) has stressed upon the need for a public debate on the issue of an appropriate act on land acquisition and resettlement. In a recent document entitled State of Environment Report 2011 on Land, the Commission has pointed out that the Gujarat land Acquisition Act of 1961 increases land insecurity in the present scenario as land is acquired through the GIDC, DMIC for SEZs and SIRs for industrial purposes from agricultural and pasture lands. The Commission has underlined in its conclusions, "In Gujarat's Land Acquisition Act of 1961 there are loopholes that industries use to their favour." The Commission has also observed that Gujarat government has done extensive work to ensure security and land possession and has emerged as a leader in land administration in the country. The Village Information System (VIS) put up by the government provides detailed information pertaining to demography, infrastructure and natural resources for every village. The e-Dhara project on land records management system and the e-Vishwagram project on computerization of rural records have proved to be successful ventures according to the commission. It has also approved of the government's implementation of the National Land Resource Modernization Programme that incorporates record upgradation through automation and integration of registration and land records. "Survey and updating of records have brought about transparency on land holding, sale and has reduced land grabbing," the report says. It has been mentioned that the state's revenue department has taken the initiative of digitizing 1.5 crore land records. "However, textural record computerization is not enough as Gujarat needs 100 per cent spatial record automation," the Commission has observed while underling that property registration in the state has got a shot in the arm through the new regulation under which Power of Attorney (POA) holder can easily register property in his or her name. The Commission has recommended that Gujarat adopt the Torrens system of land title, where a register of land holdings maintained by the state, guarantees an indefeasible title to those included in the register. Land ownership is transferred through registration of the title instead of using deeds. (Times of India 17/9/12) Land acquisition for Metro: Owners to meet Collecto r (21) Kochi: A section of the land owners who have to surrender their land for the preparatory works of the Kochi Metro will approach the District Collector on Monday to raise objections over the minutes of the district- level purchase committee (DLPC) meeting held last month. A section of the land owners who have to surrender their land for the preparatory works of the Kochi Metro will approach the District Collector on Monday to raise objections over the minutes of the district- level purchase committee (DLPC) meeting held last month. The main bone of contention is the time-bound payment of the compensation. “We were told that the whole amount would be paid before the land acquisition takes place and 80 per cent would be given in a few days after we sign the agreement. We are concerned as to why this mode of payment is being suggested instead of the option provided in the Land Acquisition Act. There are ambiguities regarding the payment of 80 per cent of compensation. Besides, those land owners who had already surrendered the land were given the payment within the stipulated time,” said Majnu Komath, one of the owners. (Indian Express 24/9/12) Land acquisition bill watered down (4) NEW DELHI: The rural development ministry has watered down the requirement of consent of 80% landowners for acquisition to 66% and eased some stringent measures for the award of compensation in the vexed land acquisition amendment bill. A group of ministers headed by agriculture minister Sharad Pawar will take up the new draft for discussion on Thursday. The vetting by the ministerial panel was necessitated by differences in a Cabinet meeting where several ministers argued that the stringent bill would halt industrialization and urbanization. The rural ministry, following consultations with the PMO, has tweaked provisions to make the bill appear industry-friendly. The bill has included national investment manufacturing zones in 'public purpose', thereby exempting the acquisition under national manufacturing policy from the requirement of seeking approval of landowners. While commerce minister Anand Sharma had made this demand, experts said that NIMZs were 'public private partnership' projects which were anyway a part of 'public purpose'. Sharma's demand for exemption of SEZs from the new bill has not been accepted. Several Cabinet ministers felt that the high compensation and stringent acquisition norms would impede industrialization and urbanization. The differences in the Cabinet meeting triggered intense lobbying from both sides of the bill. But rural development minister Jairam Ramesh announced that the

'basic framework' of the legislation could not be tampered with, likening it to the Constitution. Certain norms have, however, been diluted. While the draft bill earlier required the consent of 80% landowners-livelihood losers for acquisition to go ahead, it has since been diluted to 66% of landowners only. To allay fears that the process of social impact assessment would delay acquisition, the draft says that the process of securing consent and SIA would have a time limit of six months. Ramesh has refused to drop the government role in acquisition for private companies or PPPs as was demanded by a parliamentary standing committee, and has also resisted demands from ministries seeking exemption for SEZs from the land bill or lowering of the pricing of land and compensation norms. While the Congress wants to pass a generous bill that can be touted as a major achievement with farmers and landowners, it has to contend with requirements of industry and commerce that government is keen to protect in the legislation. The government is keen to pass the bill in the winter session of Parliament so that Congress can claim to have fulfilled a major poll promise. (Times of India 27/9/12) No decision on land acquisition Bill yet (4) NEW DELHI: There is still no consensus on the controversial land acquisition Bill, with Ministers expressing contrary views on issues such as its prospective nature, the basis for land valuation, and sectors exempted from the Bill’s provisions, at a meeting held on Thursday to thrash out differences. Earlier this month, the Union Cabinet referred the Bill to a 14-member Group of Ministers after several Cabinet Ministers expressed reservations against provisions seen as hurdles to industry and infrastructure development. “Some members gave their opinions… No decision was taken today [on Thursday],” Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who chairs the GoM, said after the meeting. He indicated that a final consensus could evolve at the next meeting to be held after he returns from a trip to Vietnam on October 4. The government hopes to introduce the Right to Fair Compensation, Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Bill in the winter session of Parliament. According to sources at the meeting, the members who spoke included Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, Railways and Highways Minister C.P Joshi – all three of whom have raised objections to certain provisions in the Bill – as well as Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Tribal Affairs and Panchayati Raj Minister Kishore Chandra Deo, Petroleum Minister Jaipal Reddy and Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, whose Ministry is introducing the Bill. Mr. Nath said he had concerns about the fair valuation of land, pointing out that the circle rate often does not reflect the actual market rate. Although the Bill provides for multiples of the circle rate, this may not be enough. “I have suggested that the gram panchayat must decide the price of land,” he said, arguing that high-yielding agricultural land would have to be valued differently from other land. However, leaving it entirely to individual gram panchayats would mean that no minimum base level for valuation would be stipulated under the Bill. Mr. Nath also called for the acquisition process to be speeded up. A source present at the meeting said there was “a strong view expressed that the Bill should have a window of retrospectivity,” which was present in the legislation’s original avatar. This view – which has been a major agenda point for civil society activists – calls for the Bill’s provisions to apply to ongoing acquisitions, in cases where actual land transfer and compensation have not yet taken place. However, other members reportedly expressed the opposing view – favoured by industry associations – that the Bill’s impact should be “cleanly prospective.” Another issue of debate was Schedule 4 of the Bill, which lists Acts – such as those governing the mining sector – which are exempted from the purview of the Bill. Some members strongly felt Acts dealing with minerals and coal mining should be taken out of the Schedule, while others felt they should remain. According to one source, the “middle path” lies in Section 98.3, which empowers the government to amend even the exempted Acts, to ensure that they comply with the compensation and rehabilitation provisions of the Bill. (The Hindu 28/9/12) Villagers oppose land acquisition (4) JAMSHEDPUR: Strong protest by the villagers, opposing land acquisition in Potka, outside Sonari airport on Sunday, forced the governor of Jharkhand, Syed Ahmed to make a back door entry into the aerodrome to board his special plane for Ranchi. Ahmed was here to take part in the golden jubilee celebrations of Golmuri Diocese at Loyola School ground. He was returning to the aerodrome in the afternoon when the demonstrator's gheraoed the entry gate of the airport demanding his immediate intervention to stop land acquisition. "The governor happens to be the constitutional custodian of the lands falling within the schedule-V of the Constitution and we demand his immediate intervention to stop the process of land acquisition in Potka for industrial purpose," said Josai Mardi of All India Adivasi Mahasabha that organized the demonstration at the airport. The protestors, who were staging a dharna outside district headquarters for over a week, had also demonstrated in a semi-nude manner outside deputy commissioner's office, recently. Seeing the vehement protest of the villagers, opposing land

acquisition in Potka block for Bhusan Power and Steel Company's Greenfield project, the governor's convoy was compelled to take a de-tour to get into the airport. "The convoy entered into the airport through the rear gate," said senior police superintendent, Akhilesh Jha. He also said obstructionists shall be identified and FIR will be lodged against them for penal action. Mardi said they wanted to submit a memorandum to the governor but police prevented them from doing so which apparently angered several of the activists. The villagers in Potka block, about 50km from here, are opposed to the 3MTPA Steel Plant and captive power plant project of Bhusan Steel. (Times of India 1/10/12) SC to hear two SLPs on Singur together (4) Kolkata: The Supreme Court today said it would simultaneously hear two special leave petitions (SPL) on the issue of land acquisition in Singur. The state government had approached the Supreme Court to hear two SLPs at the same time as both were related. The two-judge bench of Justice H L Dattu and Justice Chandramauli Prasad today said the court would hear the arguments together. In 2006, several public interest litigations were moved in the Calcutta High Court challenging the land acquisition process at Singur for the Tata Nano plant but the high court had rejected all the petitions. Following that, the petitioners had approached the apex court challenging the order of the high court. The case came up for hearing today. Advocate Avijit Sengupta, counsel of the state government, said the state urged the Supreme Court to hear the case along with the SLP on the Singur Act. The Supreme Court granted the plea of the state government, said Sengupta. The new government introduced the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act in June last year to take over the possession of the land from Tata Motors. In June, the Calcutta High Court had held that the Singur Act was unconstitutional, hearing the petition filed by Tata Motors. The state government then moved the Supreme Court challenging the verdict. According to today’s order, both the cases will be heard together. (Indian Express 2/10/12) Landless poor on long march to Delhi (4) GWALIOR: Dhanalakshmi, a 22-year-old from the Paliyar hill tribe of Tamil Nadu, is a long way from home. At 7 a.m. on Wednesday, she will join about 60,000 other landless poor, Adivasis and Dalits who have streamed into Gwalior from all parts of the country for a padayatra to the national capital, to present the demand that each of them deserves his/her own piece of land to call home. On Tuesday, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh and Minister of State for Commerce Jyotiraditya Scindia flew to Gwalior in a last-ditch effort to convince the organisers — a land reform people’s movement called Ekta Parishad — to call off the march and accept the government’s promises that a draft National Land Reform Policy would be prepared within six months. “Discussion is always a better option than agitation,” Mr. Ramesh tells the endless rows of squatting people. The multitude, which the organisers claim will swell to one lakh by the time the people reach Delhi on October 28, has the potential to dwarf last summer’s anti-corruption protests led by Anna Hazare. “Go home … We will find the middle path,” says the Minister, enumerating the government’s existing measures to secure land and housing rights for the poor. He had originally agreed to sign an agreement here, with time frames for initiatives such as a clear-cut policy, a land pool for the poor and fast-track land tribunals. However, two days ago, the Centre did a U-turn, refusing to sign. Since land is a state subject, Mr. Ramesh says, the Centre cannot impinge on the States’ domain and make promises that it cannot fulfil. Dhanalakshmi won’t buy his argument. “We have already tried to fight for our rights in Tamil Nadu. But if we tell the Collector that we want our rights, he claims that there is no land, even though there is plenty of land for SEZs and industries. He says, you get an order from above. So we are going to Delhi to get an order from above,” she insists. “Finding land may be the States’ job. But it is the Centre that sets policy for the States,” says Senthamizhselvi, an activist and organic farmer from Madurai. “If the Central government can set a policy to promote industry, and find 100 acres each for SEZs, they can set a policy to distribute land to the landless.” Dhanalakshmi had never even been on a train until she squeezed into an unreserved compartment with 200 others from Tamil Nadu to make the long trip to Gwalior last weekend. But she is no stranger to the land rights struggle. Sitting amid a sea of green and white flags, with Hindi slogans rending the air and a posse of foreign documentary filmmakers roaming the vast pandal, she tells her story. Driven into bonded labour on mango plantations after having been evicted from their forested mountain homes as a consequence of the Forest Conservation Act, a group of Paliyar tribals decided to take matters into their own hands in 2010. After two years of fruitless struggle to get title deeds as per their due under the Forest Rights Act of 2006, twenty-eight families went ahead and occupied a plot of land at Serakkadu at the foothills of the Bodi Agamalai, erecting small hutments. Despite threats by the Forest department to demolish their homes, Dhanalakshmi and her neighbours stood firm. A news report in The Hindu caught the attention of the Chief Minister who promised land and houses. Dhanalakshmi is now fighting for the rights of hundreds of other tribals to have the same. “Before the forest rangers came, my people have protected

the forests for generations. How can they push us out now,” asks Manjanan, a 55-year-old from the Muduvar tribe who hails from a village near Valparai. He says the benefits of Central schemes such as the FRA and the MGNREGA are denied to tribals who have been forced out of their mountain homes, on the grounds that they no longer qualify as forest dwellers and still cannot prove their identity on the plains. Without land to back him up, even banks deny him a loan to educate his son. Ekta Parishad founder P.V. Rajagopal and his team have spent the last four years preparing for this Jan Satyagraha. In October 2011, a yatra started in Kanyakumari covering 80,000 km and 352 districts, to spark local awareness and mobilise protesters, culminating in this 350-km padayatra to the capital. A similar march of 25,000 protesters in 2007 resulted in the setting up of the National Land Reforms Council, chaired by the Prime Minister. “In almost five years, the Council has not even met once,” said Mr. Rajagopal. “The government needs to take this seriously and give legal backing to every citizen’s ‘right to shelter’.” For the small group from Tamil Nadu seated far at the back of the pandal, Mr. Rajagopal and the Union Ministers on the dais are mere specks, making speeches in a language that is gibberish to their ears. They are surrounded by thousands of people chattering away in a babel of other tongues. “I may not have very much in common with people from Madhya Pradesh or the Northeast or Orissa, but I know that if one hand claps, it cannot be heard,” says Malliga, a 35-year-old Paliyar woman from Kodaikanal taluk, quoting a Tamil proverb. “But if many hands clap, if we all join together, they will have to hear us.” (The Hindu 3/10/12) HC to hear plea against land acquisition on Oct 15 (4) PUNE: The Bombay high court is likely to hear on October 15 a couple of writ petitions challenging the acquisition of the 20-acre private land at survey no 245 in Lohegaon by the Pune district administration to facilitate the extension of runway at the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Lohegaon airfield. The acquisition process was completed on March 5, 2011 by way of invoking the urgency clause under section 17 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and the land has since been handed over to the Defence Estate Officer (DEO), Pune. However, the runway project, which was sanctioned by the Union government almost a decade ago, has since been bogged down by a spate of litigations in the high court as well as in the civil court in the city. K M Talera, owner of a private resort that owns the acquired land, has filed the writ petition challenging the legal validity of the acquisition process. The petitioner has sought the high court directives to quash and set aside the acquisition and hand the land back to him. Another writ petition, filed by the Ex-servicemen Association of Lohegaon has been clubbed with this matter. At the last hearing on July 31, the high court division bench of justices S A Bobde and Mrudula Bhatkar had granted time to either parties for conveying their willingness for mediation to resolve the issue. Speaking to TOI, Talera said, "We have challenged the land acquisition on the grounds that the process was not effected by a competent authority, as laid down under the Land Acquisition (LA) Act, 1894 that is applicable to the central government. The acquisition has been done under the LA Act, 1894 that is applicable to the state government. This should not have been the case as the acquisition purpose is for a central government establishment. It is also our case that the purpose of acquisition of our land is malafide and the land comes nowhere near the runway." T S Arockianathan, the then DEO, Pune, has filed an affidavit in reply maintaining that the acquisition of land was completed under the LA Act, 1894 as applicable to Union of India, in due compliance with all the legal procedures and following due process of law. "It is a normal practice that when the land, which is subject matter of a particular state, is to be acquired by the central government for a public purpose, a requisition / demand is raised to the concerned state government machineries. Accordingly, Pune Divisional Commissioner and the special land acquisition officer has the authority and jurisdiction for the acquisition of the land," the affidavit states. On December 3, 2003, the Union government had sanctioned acquisition of the 20 acre private land at survey no 245 in village Lohegaon for extension of runway and construction of a soft ground arrester at a cost of Rs 7.54 crore. A demand for land acquisition was placed before the Pune district's land acquisition officer by the DEO, Pune on March 10, 2004. However, the acquisition proceedings could not go further till early 2007, prompting the Ministry of Defence to write to the then state chief secretary, B K Sankaran, to speed up the acquisition process. Subsequently, the Pune divisional commissioner had issued a couple of notifications on February 13, 2007 and on September 28, 2007, the latter invoking the urgency clause, to facilitate the acquisition. (Times of India 4/10/12) Kudankulam activists seek support of Mamata (4) Chennai: After launching a series of agitational programmes against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, anti-nuclear activists have now sought the support of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying she took "bold and courageous stand" against the Haripur nuclear project in her state. "After all, you are the only leader who has taken a bold and courageous stand against the Haripur nuclear project in Purba Medhinipur district in West Bengal," People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy

(PMANE), spearheading the stir, said in a letter to Banerjee. The letter signed by SP Udayakumar, who is leading the stir, and three others said that to save the people, the country needed the intervention of "thoughtful, caring and creative leaders such as yourself" and requested Banerjee to visit the Idinthakarai, the focal point of their stir. Noting that Banerjee fought for the people at Nandigram and Singur and "people all over India are thankful for your stand against FDI in retail sector," PMANE welcomed her recent statement "I will go everywhere in India to protect the Indian business, the farmers, the labourers and the people of India." (Zee News 5/10/12) State asks Centre to grant full SEZ status (4) KOCHI: The state government has written to the Union finance ministry to expedite SmartCity's SEZ status as the board of approval is yet to give its consent. Due to this delay, Tecom, the promoter of SmartCity, is unable to go ahead with the project master plan. Sources said the ministry's objection has resulted in this delay and since the state cannot delay this project further, the government had sent a letter asking the Union finance ministry to grant a single SEZ status for the entire SmartCity land immediately. The remaining part was denied SEZ status as the land is bifurcated by river Kadambrayar. Recently, the Centre had agreed to waive the norm that the SEZ status can't be given for the land bifurcated by natural boundaries like rivers after the state submitted a request. Then the Union finance ministry opposed the move. Meanwhile, building constructions are expected to begin by November. Tecom had already sought a sanction from the state for starting construction work even before getting the SEZ status. The first IT building will be built on the 136 acres that got SEZ status. Once full SEZ status is granted, work will begin according to the master plan. As per the plan, equal parts of land have been set apart for processing and non-processing zones. More buildings will be in the non-processing land where social infrastructure like schools, hospitals, restaurants and shopping malls would be built. Kochi: In the wake continued delay on the part of SEZ board of approval for granting SEZ status for the entire SmartCity land in Kochi, the state government has written to the Union Finance ministry demanding it to expedite the process. Due to delay in getting the SEZ status, TECOM, the promoters of SmartCity, Kochi is unable to bring out the master plan of the project. According to sources with the state government, it can't afford to any more delay for starting the prestigious project. So, the state government has send detail letter to the Union Finance ministry asking it to clear the way for single SEZ status for the entire SmartCity land. a It is the objection from the Union Finance ministry that stand in the way of getting SEZ status for the entire land earmarked for the project. The SEZ board of approval had given SEZ status to 136 acres of land. Of the total 246 acres, the remaining land was not given SEZ status as the land is bifurcated by river Kadambrayar running through the project land. Recently, the Union Government had agreed to the call by the state government to waive the norm that the SEZ status can't be given for the land bifurcated by natural boundaries like rivers. But the Union Finance ministry threw a spanner in the wheel of the project by opposing the move by the Government to grant single SEZ status for the entire 246 acres of land earmarked for the project. Meanwhile, construction of the first IT building is expected to be started by November. The TECOM had sought sanction from the state government for starting the construction of the first IT building even before getting the SEZ status for the entire land. It is in the 136 acres for which SEZ status has already been given that first IT building will be coming up. Prior to the construction of the land, developing of the land has been completed. (Times of India 7/10/12) Land bill: At second meet, GoM fails to finalise dr aft (4) New Delhi: Dashing hopes of an early finalisation of the land acquisition bill, the Group of Ministers (GoM) failed to arrive at a consensus after its second meeting. Even as many new suggestions cropped up during the meeting on Monday, defence minister AK Antony perhaps surprised many as he favoured no government role in acquiring land for private industries. Antony is learnt to have said that private players should be left to buy land directly from farmers. While Antony is not likely to come in the way of drafting the final bill, his argument could force a re-think on the basic structure of the bill. The current bill retains the government's right to acquire land for private industrial projects but gives the right to the individual states to decide the cap of government's acquisition. No minister, however, contradicted Antony at Monday's meeting. "There was no argument. Everyone just expressed their views on the bill," said a member of the GoM. "No decision was taken today but all members felt that we must wrap up the issue quickly and place the bill before Parliament," rural development minister Jairam Ramesh told HT. Urban development minister Kamal Nath, who had expressed his displeasure over the current draft of the bill on at least two occasions, reiterated his objections on the methodology of valuing the land on Monday. Railway minister CP Joshi is believed to have given a lot of suggestions, which were described as 'out of the box' ideas. The next meeting of the GoM will take place after October 15. (Hindustan Times 8/10/12)

Demand to scrap Nandigram cases (4) KOLKATA: The CPIML Liberation met chief minister Mamata Banerjee at Writers' Buildings on Thursday and demanded that the state withdraw all the pending cases in Singur and Nandigram. "The previous Left Front government had filed many false cases and there may be cases against the present chief minister Mamata Banerjee as well," said Partha Ghosh, secretary of CPIML Liberation. Police are still harassing the villagers, he claimed. "Simply appearing for court hearings is a hassle for those accused in false cases," he said. "Many of our party workers are facing the same fate," Ghosh alleged. The CPIML Liberation also demands that the state government increase the stipend to Singur farmers who did not accept any compensation against the acquisition of their land. Ghosh said that nothing less than Rs 7,000 a month would do for the unwilling land-losers. "But the CM has explained that there is not enough money in the treasury so the stipend cannot be increased," he said. Ghosh also wants a judicial commission to probe the murder of six villagers at Memari in 1993 during the panchayat polls. The CM assured that she would get law minister Moloy Ghatak to look into the possibility of a judicial probe, he said. Ghosh wants a commission to investigate the suicides of 62 farmers as well. He also wanted distribution of all vested and benami lands to the landless people and higher wages for MGNREGA workers. (Times of India 12/10/12) Govt will bear expenses of land acquisition, promis es Shettar (4) HUBLI: Chief minister Jagadish Shettar assured that the state government will bear the expenses of land acquisition for the railway projects apart from the present system of providing 50% of expenses for the railway works in the state. Speaking after inaugurating the newly constructed railway station building here on Saturday, Shettar said when he was the revenue minister he got sanctioned 100 acres land for the shifting of goodshed and provided place for the construction of the new railway station building and he lauded Union minister KH Muniyappa and MP Prahlad Joshi for their efforts in constructing the new building. Already the state government has given Rs 500 crore for the railway projects in the state, he said and said that Dharwad-Kittur-Belgaum, Gulbarga-Muneerabad-Bidar and railway route between Hubli-Ankola works would start. Shettar urged Muniyappa to withdraw the cases filed against veteran journalist Patil Puttappa and other political persons in regards of fighting for the railway projects. Speaking on the occasion, MP Prahlad Joshi urged Muniyappa to get the Rs 12 crore worth pending works at the new building at the earliest. Joshi urged railway station officials to provide some space for the NWKSRTC bus to stop in front of the newly constructed railway station building which will help passengers to take the bus and reach their respective destinations. (Times of India 14/10/12) Rates finalised for Kochi land acquisition (4) KOCHI: The State Empowered Committee approved the rates finalised by the district-level purchase committee for land acquisition in Kochi as part of the Metro Rail project. District Collector P.I. Sheikh Pareed said that according to the approved rates land acquired for widening of main roads like Banerjee Road, M.G. Road and South Railway State road will get compensation at the rate of Rs. 52 lakh per cent . The rate was finalised after many rounds of discussions by the District Collector with land owners.With the rate being approved, the district administration can go ahead with acquisition after paying 80 per cent of the due amount. Almost all the land owners along these roads agreed to hand over land at this rate, said an official press release. The empowered committee also approved the rate of Rs. 24 lakh for a cent for acquiring land for foot overbridge near the KSRTC bus stand and also the rate of Rs. 18.50 lakh for a cent for acquiring land for approach road to Ponnurunni railway overbridge, said Mohandas Pillai, Deputy Collector, who represented the District Collector at the panel meeting held at Thiruvananthapuram. The high-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary also approved the decision to acquire land for four other development projects. The committee approved decision to acquire 8.51 acre out of total 20 acre required for widening of Thammanam-Pullepady Road, 86 cents for Korankadavu Bridge, 2.6505 hectare for bridges across Periyar along the Airport-Seaport Road, and 51 cents for Mattathamkadavu bridge connecting Amballur and Udayamperoor. (The Hindu 16/10/12) Govt denotifies Adani Group’s SEZ at Mundra (4) New Delhi: The government has cancelled 1,840-hectare multi-product special economic zone project being developed by Gujarat-based Adani Group at Mundra alleging violation of various norms. The Adani Port and SEZ’s (APSEZ) project, a commerce ministry official said, was denotified as the proposal did not conform to contiguity norms and was in violation of the rule which requires that the SEZ site to be vacant before approval is sought. Besides, the site was land-locked without means of proper transport, the official said, adding, “They had violated these three norms. Because of this, we have denotified their SEZ.” An Adani Port & SEZ spokesperson said, “The company has over 6,473 hectare land notified multi-

product Special Economic Zone which has no relation with the aforesaid SEZ.” “We had sought clearance for this additional land measuring 1,840 hectare for expansion in future. The clearance was turned down as the authorities felt that the proposed area lacked contiguity. We will seek clearance for this additional 1,840 hectare in due course.” The government official too said that “the project developer can approach the Board of Approval in the commerce ministry again to seek fresh permission.” (Indian Express 17/10/12) GoM clears watered down land acquisition bill (4) NEW DELHI: The government will have to secure the nod of two-thirds of landowners to acquire a patch of land for private/PPP projects while acquisition in tribal areas would be possible only with the approval of local institutions of self-governance. The enshrining of owners' willingness to sell land forms a crucial part of the land acquisition amendment bill that was finalized by the group of ministers headed by Sharad Pawar on Tuesday. The consent clause has been a sore point in the Manmohan Singh Cabinet, with a chunk of ministers feeling the restrictive clause could hamper acquisition and impede industrialization. There was also resentment against the provision of Social Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment before acquisitions but they have been retained in the final draft. The rural development ministry under Jairam Ramesh has diluted the original provision of consent of 80% landowners and livelihood losers to two-thirds of landowners. The conditions for acquisition in 'scheduled areas' may help discourage takeover of land for private projects in tribal areas as has been the demand from civil society for a long time. The draft bill says acquisition in scheduled areas should be avoided but if necessary, it should follow the consent of local systems of governance like autonomous councils. The issue led to serious discussion during the meetings of the ministerial panel, with deputy chairperson of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia reportedly arguing that development should be taken to tribal areas. The legislation, piloted by Ramesh, will decide a cut-off date to implement the new bill. Finance minister P Chidambaram warned that cut-off date was important to avoid the anomaly of government paying compensation under two different bills (old and new) for different acquisitions at the same time. Ramesh said he would hold another discussion with GoM chair Pawar to tighten the loose ends and the bill would soon be sent for Cabinet clearance. "We hope to get it passed in the winter session," he said. Crucially, the bill will apply to Special Economic Zones that account for a big chunk of acquisitions that have triggered allegations that these special enclaves had become havens for real estate agents. The legislation evoked strong sentiments from key UPA ministers like Kamal Nath, Anand Sharma and C P Joshi who differed on certain projects being kept out of the purview of public purpose. Defence minister and Congress heavyweight A K Antony had said at the last meeting that government should not acquire land for private projects and step in for PPP projects only if unavoidable. The land bill has been in the works since UPA-1 but fell victim to coalition differences. But the last resistance came from Congress camp when many ministers feared the stringent provisions for acquiring land could discourage industrialization and urbanization. It was referred to the Pawar-chaired ministerial panel after the Cabinet meeting in August found a plethora of objections raised by ministers. (Times of India 17/10/12) Mamata Banerjee's doublespeak on land acquisition ( 4) KOLKATA: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may root for a hands-off policy on land acquisition, but her Cabinet approved acquisition of 64 acre land for a power project at Dalkhola in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur in May. Her political rivals are backing farmers protesting against the state government's land acquisition bid. Forward Bloc MLA from Chakulia Ali Imran Ramz has planned a Nandigram-like stir against the state government. "The Mamata Banerjee government stands exposed. The CM says her government is against forcible acquisition, but the police have been picking up dissenting farmers on false charges," he said. The police forced some farmers to sign on the land register and accept the compensation. "Dissenting farmers filed an affidavit before the magistrate saying they are opposed to land acquisition. Most of the land is fertile and yields double crop," said Ramz. The Power Grid Corporation needs 64 acres in two mouzas of Dalkhola for the project. "It would facilitate transmission of electricity from Sikkim to West Bengal," a Power Grid official said. The proposal was submitted to the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government issued the final acquisition notification on May 21, 2010, said special land acquisition officer Uttar Dinajpur Soumen Bose. There was not much progress on the ground as the embattled Left Front government was busy tackling the anti-land acquisition stir in Singur and Nandigram. Days after Mamata Banerjee came to power in May 2011, Power Grid officials asked Trinamool Congress minister and Islampur MLA Abdul Karim Chowdhury to break the logjam. Chowdhury consulted local bodies and MLAs and informed Mamata that they had no objection. Mamata gave her approval based on Chowdhury's inputs. District land officials said the government could acquire only 13 of the total 64 acres. "We cannot progress after the trouble in two mouzas. The minister, district magistrate

and two local MLAs tried to persuade unwilling farmers and pattadars. Some of the men who accepted compensation cheques later changed their stance," a district land officer said. Chairman of the Congress-run Dalkhola Municipality Subhas Goswami, however, said the Power Grid Corporation offered "good compensation" to land owners. "They offered Rs 19 lakh per acre when the market price is Rs 4-5 lakh an acre," he said. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has offered the Power Grid Corporation 64 acres, free of encumbrances, if the corporation shifts the project to the state. (Times of India 18/10/12) Singur land acquisition met new Bill rules (4) Kolkata: Revisiting the controversial Singur land acquisition by the previous Left Front government in the light of the new Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Bill shows that the acquisition of the 1,000 acres of land for setting up of Tata Motors’ Nano car factory was not flawed at all. The draft of the LARR bill was cleared by the Group of Ministers this week and is likely to be placed in the Winter Session of Parliament. As per the new bill, that will do away with the archaic 1894 Land Acquisition Act, the government needs to get the consent of two-thirds or 66 per cent of landowners for acquiring land meant for use by private companies for stated public purpose or public-private partnership (PPP) projects other than laying down highways. In Singur, where land acquisition began in 2006, official records show that over 81.5 per cent farmers had given their consent for the acquisition of land by accepting the compensation cheques offered by the government. Subsequently, the percentage rose further, and at present it is pegged at over 85 per cent. The government records show that at the time of acquiring land, 13,300 compensation cheques were prepared for the total number of awardees of the land. Of them, 10,800 cheques were accepted by the farmers. Initially, 2,500 cheques remained with the government, as the then Left Front government put it on record that 2,200 farmers were “unwilling” to accept the compensation cheques and 300 cheques could not be distributed due to the litigation on the ownership of the land. (Indian Express 20/10/12) Farmers’ body demands govt’s hands-off policy in la nd acquisition (4) NEW DELHI: Farmers, who often lose their land to pave way for development, are not happy, with even UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's proposal of 80% landowners' consent for fresh acquisition for any private project. They want government's non-interference in land acquisition, and feel that all deals should be done directly between buyers and sellers. Kisan Mahasangh, an umbrella body of farmers' organizations in north India, put these demands and several others before Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh on Saturday. The meeting, which lasted around three hours, took place a day after farmers had staged a protest against government on the proposed bill cleared by the group of ministers (GoM), headed by agriculture minister Sharad Pawar. Farmers' representatives submitted that land acquisition for private firms across the world has been stopped due to the "inherent potential for exploitation". They said that the parliamentary committee had recognized this flaw in the acquisition process, and had suggested an end to the practice. "We are opposed to the proposal of creation of pool of unutilized land since this leads to misuse, allotments and leasing of excess land to individuals and companies based on vested interest. It encourages acquisition of large tracts at lower rates. Since developments on such plots take long and that too in phases, they cannot be used for farming and the land owners are also deprived of compensation at market rate," said Colonel (retd) Devinder Sehrawat, co-convener of Kisan Mahasangh. The farmers have also demanded that there should be a professional outfit to calculate the compensation rate with their representatives. "The minister has agreed that he would push for such bodies at state level with some members from the farmers' community," Sehrawat said. The representatives have also pushed for keeping fertile and irrigated land out of acquisition ambit. In addition, they want government to issue individual notices to the affected landowners. (Times of India 21/10/12) Land Acquisition Bill’s soft draft upsets Delhi far mers (4) NEW DELHI: A delegation of Delhi farmers met Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh recently to convey their disappointment on the systematic watering down of a draft of the Land Acquisition Bill by the Group of Ministers. The farmers, who had come together under the banner of Kissan Mahasangh, said while initially land owner had given up surplus land to the landless immediately after Independence to help establish a social set up with equitable assets and opportunities, it was ironical that now laws are being made to facilitate accumulation of thousands of acres of land by private companies and individuals. Over 300 special economic zones have come up on the fertile land of farmers who have not benefited from them in any way. As per the Ministry of Finance the nation has lost over Rs.163,000 crore in revenue till 2010, the delegation claimed. Lamenting that despite this, the national manufacturing policy (NMP) plans to acquire larger areas without any plan for employment or rehabilitation, the

delegation said sight should not be lost of the fact that over 50 crore individuals are provided their source of livelihood by the unorganised sector. With the organised sector providing merely 3 to 4 crore jobs, the delegation said the basis on which 10 crore jobs have been promised in the NMP was not clear. Co-convener of the Kissan Mahasangh Devinder Seharawat said the delegation also objected to the acquisition of land for private companies; creation of land pool of unutilised land and leaving the decision of the calculation compensation of land vague. The Minister, he said, gave the delegation a patient hearing and assured to take the dialogue process forward. (The Hindu 22/10/12) Committee constituted to look into land acquisition process, ramifications (4) Chandigarh: After facing a major setback over the issue of land acquisition for third phase of Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park (RGCTP), the UT Administration now tends to err on the side of caution while assessing proposed land acquirement for multi-crore tricity metro project. Well aware of the complexities in land acquisition process and the ramifications it may have, the UT Administration has constituted a Committee to look into the matter. Treading cautiously on the issue of land acquisition for the much-hyped metro project, the UT Administration has decided to scrutinise the land requirement for the project on its own before taking any final decision. For this, the UT Engineering Department has been asked to re-check the land requirement for the project in Chandigarh. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in the detailed project report (DPR) of tricity metro has proposed that a total of 35.25 hectares of land including 32.52 hectares of Government land and 2.73 hectares of private land would be acquired. The land will be acquired for metro stations, depots, running sections and to create other infrastructure for functioning of metro here. Also, as much as 6.4 hectares of land would be required for temporary acquisition. For the project, residential land in Sector 21, 34, 43 and Air Force Station has been proposed to be acquired. The DPR has also stated that as many as 79 families would be affected in the land acquisition process. Of these, 74 families are title holder private land owners or tenants while five families are owners of kiosks occupying the footpath. VK Singh, UT Finance-cum-Urban Planning Secretary while talking to The Pioneer said: “The Administration has asked UT Chief Engineer to look into the land requirement for metro project and a Committee has been constituted for this purpose.” He said: “Even as DPR has proposed a large chunk of land for acquisition, the Administration will also ascertain the land required for acquisition for execution of the project.” “The Committee constituted would check the land proposed for acquisition and if required, we would also talk to the owners of these proposed land,” he added. About the acquisition of land in neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana, Singh said: “The UT Administration would also ask the neighboring states to ascertain the land proposed for acquisition in their jurisdiction for the tricity metro project.” Under the ambitious tricity metro project, Punjab will have a total track length of 7.8 km and Haryana will have a total track length of 6.41 km running through its territory. And, a total of 37.573 km metro rail project has been proposed including 23.468 km elevated and 14.105 km underground in the first phase having two metro corridors namely north-south corridor and east-west corridor. Given the instances in the past, the land acquisition has remained a controversial issue for the UT Administration. It may be recalled that the mega projects of the Administration had come under the scanner of Union Home Ministry in 2009 which had put on hold further land acquisitions and had also pointed out procedural lapses in land acquirement and allotment in a special audit of projects. While the mega projects like Medicity, Theme Park could not become reality and were scrapped, several other projects like Integrated Production Milk Village, Modern Terminal Market, Education city were put in cold storage. (Pioneer 25/10/12) Fresh changes in Land Acquisition Bill draft (4) New Delhi: Fresh changes have been made in the draft Land Acquisition Bill under which the consent of landowners for acquiring land for private purpose has been made stiffer following a suggestion from UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The percentage of land owners, whose consent is a must for acquiring land for private purpose, has been raised from 67% to 80 in the proposed bill. Disclosing the changes in the measure, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, who heads group of ministers on the bill, said consent of land owners was not not required for acquiring land for public purpose. The proposed changes will soon be circulated among 14 members of the GoM for their views and consent, he told reporters after a brief meeting with rural development minister Jairam Ramesh on the issue. "A detailed discussion was made in the last GoM. Some of them suggested changes and these were discussed and finalised today," he said. The key changes include consent of 80% of landowners if government acquires land for private purpose. The changes come against the backdrop of recommendations of Gandhi suggesting raising the consent level of land owners for acquiring land for private purpose. In the last meeting on October 16, GoM had approved for a provision for consent of two-third (67%) of land owners for acquiring land for private purpose. Asked if raising the of quantum of consent of land owners will upset the private industry,

Pawar said "if that is the case, then industry can purchase privately." On rehabilitation issue, the minister said it will be made compulsory if land is acquired under public private partnership (PPP) while the state government will decide in the case an individual purchase land for personal use. Some concessions will be given for acquiring land under PPP for public purpose. The concessions will be decided by the state governments, he said. If land is acquired for Special Economic Zones (SEZs), the minister said the state governments will decide on the issue. Pawar said there will not be retrospective clause in the proposed bill. "It (proposed bill) will be applicable from the day when Parliament passes the bill. There are some cases where land acquisition process has started and payment has not been made, there we have asked to consult the state governments," he said. On using land acquired for one project for another, Pawar said "I have to see whether the Supreme Court judgment on this issue is applicable to this or not. We are consulting the Law Ministry on this issue." The Supreme Court has said in a judgment that the left- over land acquired for a project cannot be resold and should be auctioned, he said. Asked if the GoM will meet again, Pawar said "I will send the changes to all members tomorrow with a request to send their views within a week. Suppose there are some issues, then again I will have to call for the GoM meeting. I expect that there will not be such a situation and I will take it to the cabinet." After the cabinet's approval, the proposed bill will be placed "possibly in the coming winter session of Parliament". (DNA 29/10/12) 80% consent must if land acquired for private proje cts (4) NEW DELHI: In a sign of the government acquiescing to the wishes of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, the land acquisition amendment bill may stipulate that 80% landowners should agree for government to acquire land for private projects. The change has necessitated redrafting of the note that was approved by the group of ministers vetting the land bill. The Sharad Pawar-chaired ministerial panel had decided that 67% landowners have to consent to allow the government to acquire land for private projects and those under PPP mode.But no sooner did the decision become public this month that Sonia conveyed to the government that she was against the dilution of the land bill. The rural development ministry had provided for 80% consent in the bill but brought it down to 67% after vocal opposition in the Cabinet to the stringent clause. Key ministers said such a clause would make acquisition difficult and halt industrialization and urbanization. After a brief meeting with RD minister Jairam Ramesh, Pawar told reporters Monday, "A detailed discussion was made in the last GoM meeting. Some of them suggested changes and these were discussed and finalized today." He said 80% landowners have to agree for land acquisition for private projects while clarifying that consent was not required for government projects in public purpose. The changes will be made in the draft bill which will be circulated afresh to the 14 members of the GoM for their views and consent, Pawar said. The bill will be presented to the Cabinet for approval after that. Ramesh told reporters the land bill would be tabled with amendments in the winter session of Parliament. Congress is banking on the land bill to regain the halo around its "aam aadmi" image that has been severely dented by price rise and corruption. The legislation has been in the works for many years and may finally come to fruition. But its passage in Parliament will depend on how the opposition estimates the political impact of the bill. While BJP may want to rob Congress of a talking point among the vast farmer-rural constituency, the opposition party will have to take into account the negative publicity such a blockade could attract. A high consent clause aims to please farmers by conveying that the government can no longer acquire land against their wishes to help private projects. The government has been reeling under allegations that farm land was being taken over at cheap rates to benefit industry. (Times of India 30/10/12) Sonia Gandhi forces changes, makes land acquisition tougher (4) New Delhi: Fresh changes have been made in the draft Land Acquisition Bill under which the level of consent of landowners for acquiring land for private purpose has been made stiffer following a suggestion from UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The percentage of land owners, whose consent is a must for acquiring land for private purpose, has been raised from 67 per cent to 80 in the proposed bill. Disclosing the changes in the measure, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who heads Group of Ministers on the bill, said consent of land owners was not not required for acquiring land for public purpose. The proposed changes will soon be circulated among 14 members of the GoM for their views and consent, he told reporters after a brief meeting with Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on the issue. "A detailed discussion was made in the last GoM. Some of them suggested changes and these were discussed and finalised today," he said. The key changes include consent of 80 per cent of landowners if government acquires land for private purpose. The changes come against the backdrop of recommendations of Gandhi suggesting raising the consent level of land owners for acquiring land for private purpose. In the last meeting on October 16, GoM had approved for a provision for consent of two-third (67 per cent) of land owners for acquiring land for private purpose. Asked if raising the of quantum of consent of land

owners will upset the private industry, Pawar said "if that is the case, then industry can purchase privately." (Indian Express 30/10/12) Centre to give security cover for SAIL's Chhattisga rh mining project (4) NEW DELHI: The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) will start work in December on development of its new iron-ore feeder mine in Rowghat, located in Naxal-infested Kanker region of Chhattisgarh, including construction of a rail link for transporting the ore to Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP). These works are to be taken under a security cover to be provided by Central paramilitary forces, according to sources in the Union home ministry. A meeting among officials of SAIL, steel and mines ministry and home ministry here on Wednesday tied up security details for the project to counter possible disruptions by the Maoists as part of their strategy to keep the area "inaccessible" or "liberated" from civil administration. Start of mining activity at Rowghat will become necessary to ensure uninterrupted supply of iron-ore to BSP, as the existing Dalli-Rajhara captive mines are expected to run dry in the next three to four years. Rail connectivity is, however, needed to ensure transportation of the ore from Rowghat to the steel plant. The proposed 90-km-long Dalli Rajhara-Rowghat line will take care of this aspect. Besides, with the line proposed to extend further to Jagdalpur, passenger traffic will also be facilitated. Sources said while work on the initial 17-km-long uninhabited stretch will begin in December itself, the remaining 73-km tracks will be laid only after land acquisition and tribal rehabilitation issues are sorted, infrastructure laid out and security forces deployed to guard the works. Of the 600 local tribals likely to be displaced by the rail project, 210 are likely to be offered jobs in the government. Adequate financial compensation will be handed out to locals who may be displaced as a result of land acquisition for the project. With most of the compensation likely to be finalized by May, 2013, work on the currently inhabited stretch may start only from the middle of next year. SAIL plans to invest Rs 5,000 crore in the Rowghat mines, including Rs 702 crore for laying of the Dalli-Rowghat rail line. All environmental clearances for the mines are in place. Large presence of Maoists in and around Rowghat, however, is hampering SAIL's plan. Maoist spokesperson Gudsa Usendi was quoted in a May, 2011, interview as saying: "They (the government) are trying to squeeze us. The Rowghat mountains are very important to the ecology of the area and the Maria tribes who live there." (Times of India 1/11/12) Farmers outfit plans economic blockade against land acquisition (4) RAMGARH: Raiyat Visthapith Morcha (RVM) backed by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has announced a statewide economic blockade in January to protest agains the Centre's as well as state government's land acquisition policy and allocation of coal blocks to corporate house in the state leading to mass displacement. As much as 2. 66 lakh acres of land in the state have been acquired by Coal India Limited ( CIL) alone for excavation of coal. This was announced by Fagu Besara, Central Committee president of Raiyat Visthapit Morcha in the presence of Mandu MLA Jai Prakash Bhai Patel on Saturday after discussion with Morcha leaders from various parts of the state, especially from the coal belt. The Morcha alleged that the state and Union governments have failed to execute Displacement and Rehabilitation policy which has made the landlords beggers in the state.Besara said the Displacement and Rehabilitation policy 2011 draft is still hanging and the ministry of coal had distributed coal blocks in the state to corporate houses. (Times of India 4/11/12) Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation to m eet farmers over land acquisition (4) NASHIK: The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) will start negotiations with farmers for the proposed land acquisition for a 32km railway line from Eklahare to special economic zone (SEZ) in Sinnar this week. Indiabulls Realtech Ltd (IRL), a subsidiary of Indiabulls Power Ltd, and MIDC are jointly setting up a thermal power station at Sinnar with 1,350 MW capacity. A railway line about 32 km is to be laid between Eklahare and Sinnar for the transportation of coal. Around 173 hectare land across 12 villages is to be acquired by the MIDC The MIDC issued a notification on October 29, 2010 for the acquisition of the land for the Eklahare-Sinnar railway line project. Though MIDC has already completed taking measurements in some villages, it could not be done at others because farmers protested. Sources told TOI that Rs 30 lakh per acre for arable land and Rs 15 lakh per acre for non-arable land has already been announced for the farmers. The district collector, who is a head of the District Land Acquisition Committee, and the MIDC will hold talks with the farmers on Wednesday, Nov 7, to convince them. The land is to be acquired from the 13 villages, which include Panchak, Samangaon, Eklahare, Hinganwedhe and Jakhori in Nashik tehsils, Jogaltembi, Naygaon, Deshvandi, Patpimpri, Baragaon, Gulvanch and Musalgaon in Sinnar tehsil and Pimpalgaon Nipani in Niphad tehsil. "Our priority is to complete acquisition of land for the railway line for the proposed Thermal Power plant at Sinnar. We hope

to convince the farmers and complete the land acquisition at the earliest," a senior official from MIDC said. (Times of India 5/11/12) MP: Medha Patkar arrested during protest against Pe nch project (4) Chhindwara: Social activist Medha Patkar and 16 of her supporters were arrested as they arrived here to protest against the upcoming Pench River Project. Patkar and her supporters were arrested late last night under sections 151 (unlawful assembly) and 188 (defiance of government order) of the Indian Penal Code, Chhindwara Collector Mahesh Chandra Choudhary told reporters today. They were lodged in Chhindwara jail, he said. Superintendent of Police Vineet Jain, who led the police team, "misbehaved" with the media persons when they asked him under which section Patkar was arrested, some reports here said. The under-construction Pench River Project has affected 300 farmers in 32 villages. As many as 116 of them belong to two villages, and are seeking additional compensation for their submerged lands. Collector Choudhary said demand for enhanced compensation had been forwarded to the state government. The project is expected to irrigate Seoni and Chhindwara districts, besides providing water for a power plant. Patkar's lawyers here said she had refused to eat anything since she was arrested. (DNA 5/11/12) “Land should be purchased and not acquired” (4) NEW DELHI: Resettlement and rehabilitation is the heart and soul of the Land Acquisition Bill (now renamed the Right to Fair Compensation, Resettlement, Rehabilitation & Transparency in Land Acquisition Bill), said Muhammed Khan, Officer on Special Duty, Union Ministry of Rural Development, at a panel discussion organised by the Observer Research Foundation on Friday. Mr. Khan was responding to comments made about how the Bill has shifted focus from land acquisition and now focuses more on R&R. “That is exactly how it should be. Land should be purchased and not acquired,” he said, citing the successful negotiations carried out between the land owners and buyers interested in purchasing land for the Kochi Airport. His responses followed a series of speakers who came together to discuss the Bill in its current form. The original Bill has called for 80 per cent consent from both land owners as well as those who stood to lose their livelihood and had stipulated that its compensation and rehabilitation provisions would apply retrospectively to ongoing acquisitions which had not yet completed the process of land transfer under the old Land Acquisition Act, 1894. Other speakers such as Parikshit Ghosh from Delhi University suggested holding auctions or creating “local land banks”, T. K. Arun from the Economic Times recommended a land leasing model. Advocate Manoj Kumar recommended that the Bill be focussed on three aspects: transparency, process efficiency and viability. “All past experiences of this Bill flow out of a need for transparency,” he said. (The Hindu 10/11/12) Dubrajpur dispute over compensation, says MP (4) KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress' Birbhum MP Shatabdi Ray met chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday and informed her that the protests were not due to any anti-land stir, but had more to do with a compensation package for the land-losers and displaced villagers. Though Ray returned with an assurance from the chief minister that the state would 'soon resolve' the problem, she felt that it would be a tough task for the government. Ray's assessment of the situation also bore resonance with a key demand made by the Krishi Jami Raksha Committee to the state industries minister Partha Chatterjee. Their deputation read: "Land prices, ownership, leaseholders, sharecroppers, fishermen and daily wage labourers affected by it should be rehabilitated. Their loss of livelihood should be compensated. The area should be developed." The minister didn't make any commitment on this, but later said, "Our government had no role in either fixing the land prices or giving mining rights. This happened back in 2005." Though Chatterjee reiterated his government is against forcible land acquisition, he refused to be drawn into any comment on a state role in compensation and rehabilitation for those affected. Ray feels this is going to be a tough task. "I have suggested an all-party meeting, possibly on Sunday, to reach a consensus. The bigger problem, to me, is to distinguish between those affected and those agitating. But yes, this isn't a land acquisition issue for they'd given the land on their own. The question is on the compensation and rehabilitation package. I am really at a loss to understand how our government can resolve the deadlock triggered by an action seven years back," she said. This also figured prominently in the meeting Chatterjee had with the Birbhum Trinamool Congress leadership., including minister Chandranath Sinha and district president Anubrata Mondal. But the Trinamool leadership does feel if something isn't done now, this agitation may soon spread its tentacles. in a bid to contain the fallout of the alleged police firing on villagers. Though she returned with an assurance from the Chief Minister that the government will "soon resolve" the problem, there appears more to it. For Ray in her report to the chief minister informed her And it is this, which has now put the government in a bind. (Times of India 10/11/12)

NHAI to start projects after land acquisition (4) NEW DELHI: At a time when private bidders are showing interest in highway projects, National Highways Authority of India ( NHAI) has decided on rolling out projects only after they have substantial land required for the project and are given environmental clearance. Senior authority officials said that this is a conscious decision, taken considering that projects get exceptionally delayed due to non-availability of land and green clearances. "Now there is a message from the top that we must get things under control by the time project starts. Small stretches of incomplete roads jeopardize the entire project," said an official. He added that the focus is now to ensure that once a project starts on ground there should be no brake and the objective is timely completion of works. Sources said that the authority has at least eight months after award of project to get possession of around 70% of required land. They added though in almost all cases the final notification process for acquiring the entire land required for a project is initiated by the time it is awarded there have been instances of the process getting delayed due issues such as compensation fixation. The authority has been receiving flack for failing to hand over land in time resulting in delay in completion and cost overrun. Several banks have said that they won't finance projects until there is 100% land acquisition. "We have made it clear we will lend only to those projects which have total possession of land. Many banks feel the same way. Why will any financial institution increase its non-performing assets ? Non-availability of land for small stretches impacts the entire project and the cash flow," said SK Goel, chairman and managing director of India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd. (Times of India 12/11/12) Mamata ignored smoke signals on Birbhum row (4) Loba (Birbhum): About 40 days before their violent confrontation with the police over rehabilitation issues, residents of Loba village in Birbhum had written to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, apprising her of the problem surrounding the purchase of land by mining company Bengal EMTA. Before writing to Banerjee — who herself had spearheaded the struggle against land acquisition when the Left Front was in power — on September 27, they had communicated with commerce and industries minister Partha Chatterjee, local MP Shatabdi Roy, the district magistrate and the superintendent of police. In their letters, the Krishi Jomi Raksha Committee (KJRC) leadership alleged Bengal EMTA hadn’t spoken to the villagers. “They started buying land through touts. However, they couldn’t start their project unless they bought all the land required,” the letter read. “We are an apolitical platform formed to preserve the interests of the working class and farmers. We are not obstructing the development of the coal industry in Birbhum. We simply want proper rehabilitation packages. However, by influencing certain sections of the administration, Bengal EMTA is unleashing terror in the area.” The letters prove all wings of the state government, the CM included, had been forewarned by the agitators. Trouble began on November 6, when the police allegedly fired at villagers who were demanding a better deal, following their displacement. The villagers had attacked a team of about 150 policemen, including the superintendent of police, additional superintendent of police and officers-in-charge, who went to recover the earth-moving equipment the locals had seized from the firm. A company executive said: “We had offered the amount decided by the state government ... But they didn’t allow us to start work.” (Hindustan Times 13/11/12) No forcible acquisition in Loba: Mukul Roy (4) DUBRAJPUR: Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Roy visited Loba village on Friday evening and said that the state would not take any initiative in land acquisition for the open cast mining there. He is the first Trinamool leader to visit Loba after the police and agitators clashed there on November 6. Roy reached Bolpur circuit house in the afternoon and after a brief discussion with party leader he accompanied withminister Chandranath Sinha, he set out for Loba. Neither media nor the officials of the Krishi Jami Raksha Committee had any prior intimation regarding his Loba visit on Friday. At Loba, Roy addressed a gathering from the dais of the committee. The committee leaders, too, shared the dais. At Loba , Roy assured that the state government would not intervene in the land acquisition process for the joint venture open cast mine at Loba. Describing himself as an emissary from chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Roy said: "We are with you and with your struggle for land rights. The police won't of the government is not tosnatch agricultural land from the farmers. We will not deviate from our policy. Our chief minister has instructed me to come here and express solidarity with your agitation. Those who want to set up industries (read coal mines) will have to talk to the villagers . No one can do anything forcibly here without having your consent." Everything will be done as you wish.'Mukul spent almost half-an-hour at Loba and returned to Bolpur, where he met his party MLAs from Birbhum and concerned panchayat officials. It may be noted that the members of Krishi Jami Raksha Committee had earlier told that they would wait till Sunday and if their demands were not met they would intensify their stir. Mukul's sudden visit is seen as

an attempt to pacify the agitators and reach some temporary solution, so that rivals like Congress and CPI(M) can't gain from the situation. The committee members will hold a rally on Sunday. Though Roy did not say anything concrete during his surprise visit the committee officials found something 'positive' in his visits . Jaydeep Mazumdar, secretary of the committee, said: "We did not have any concrete information. When he left from the Bolpur circuit house, I was informed that he was visiting Loba. He came here as an emissary of the Chief Minister. We have full faith in the chief minister and hope she will get proper information from Roy. It is true that we have not yet received any concrete assurance regarding our demands, butWe believe the state has started thinking on it." (Times of India 17/11/12) Land Acquisition Bill finalised, awaiting Cabinet n od: Ramesh (4) New Delhi: The controversial Land Acquisition Bill has been finalised and the Union Cabinet is likely to take it up at its next meeting so that it can be brought in Parliament in the upcoming Winter Session. "The bill is finalised. It is going to Cabinet shortly," Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh told reporters here. Ramesh, who met Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, expressed hope that the bill could be brought in Parliament in the Winter Session beginning this week. He, however, refused to give details of the final version of the bill, which has been surrounded by controversies. Sources said the bill was finalised in the light of a suggestion of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi who had asked the government to take consent from 80 per cent land owners to purchase land for the purpose of setting up private projects. They said Gandhi was not in favour of the GoM's proposal that consent of two-third of "land losers" (from whom land would be purchased) would be needed for acquiring land for private projects. The GoM had suggested that the consent clause should be kept at 67 per cent for PPP projects and private projects. The government had constituted the GoM after some ministers voiced strong reservation against certain provisions of the Bill at the Cabinet meeting. The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 was introduced in Parliament in September last year and was referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee which submitted its recommendations in May. The Bill has been hanging fire even though the National Advisory Council headed by Gandhi has been pushing for the law and has framed its broad contours. (The Financial Express 19/11/12) Land Bill may be tabled in winter session of Parlia ment (4) NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Rural Development has finalised the much hyped Land Acquisition Bill and is expected to be tabled before the Cabinet soon. The bill will ensure that consent of 80 per cent of the landowners will be required for acquisition of land for private projects and projects under pubic private partnership. However, on many contentious issues, the bill allowed the states to take a decision. For instances, if a state acquires land and decides to lease it out to the private sector, then how many landowners consent is required will be decided by the state government. Even the compensation to be paid to the landowners also will be decided by the state itself. The government expected to bring the Land Acquisition bill in the coming winter session of Parliament. Meanwhile, the government has listed 35 bills — 25 for consideration and passing and 10 for introduction during the session. Among the bills to be taken up for consideration and passage are Forward Contracts (Regulation) Amendment Bill, Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, and Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill. (Deccan Herald 20/11/12) Power Plant Row: MP Govt Files Undertaking in HC (4 ) Jabalpur: Against the backdrop of growing opposition to acquisition of land for a power plant in Katni district, the Madhya Pradesh government today filed an undertaking in the High Court stating that it will not go ahead till the final hearing on a PIL in this regard is held. The single bench of Justice R S Jha has fixed the final hearing of the case on November 27. Farmers from Bujbuja and Dokaria villages in the district had filed a public interest litigation opposing acquisition of land for the Welspun Power plant. In their PIL Barhi resident Anand Tiwari, along with 50 farmers, stated that their agriculture land is the only source of livelihood for them. The petitioners had said that in the public interest it was not feasible to acquire agriculture land for an industry alleging that administrative officials were forcing them to give up their land for the power plant by violating rules for the land acquisition process. The notice for the land acquisition too was not published properly and the affected farmers were not given an opportunity to give their stand on the issue, the PIL said. "The undertaking said that till the final hearing of the case, the land will not be acquired for the power plant," said petitioner's advocate Vivek Rusia. To oppose the acquisition, farmers in two villages had set up funeral pyres on their fields and threatened to set themselves on fire in case of any coercion. WEMPL has proposed to set up a Greenfield thermal power plant of 1980 MW (3X660MW) capacity at Bujbuja in Barhi tehsil of the district and had inked a

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the state government on November 24, 2009, in this regard. (Outlook 21/11/12) Congress to launch agitation against farmers' land acquisition (4) Congress today announced to launch an agitation on December 2 from Barhi village in Katni district where farmers have been opposing land acquisition for a private power plant. "The statewide agitation against the injustice being done to the farmers will be launched on December 2, from Barhi village in Katni district under the leadership of the state Congress unit president Kantilal Bhuria," Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Ajay Singh, said here today. All Congress MLAs will be present during the agitation which will be addressed by Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh and the general secretary in-charge of the state, B K Hariprasad. Ajay alleged that the BJP government, which always claims to make agriculture a profitable venture, is forcibly acquiring land from the farmers, thus snatching the only means of livelihood from them in the name of setting up industries. The situation like in Dongaria and Bujbuja in Katni district is prevailing in the entire state including Anooppur, Chhindwara and Dindori among others where farmers were opposing land acquisition for industries. The farmers in Dongaria and Bujbuja have even set up funeral pyres on their lands to oppose forcible land acquisition. (Indian Express 25/11/12) “Incorporate mandatory consent of Gram Sabha in Lan d Acquisition Bill” (4) NEW DELHI: Jan Sansad, a coalition of 60 peoples’ movements, has demanded that the Government incorporate mandatory consent of a majority of Gram Sabha members on all matters pertaining to land acquisition in the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011. During the ongoing agitation and public hearing at Jantar Mantar here on land acquisition, agricultural reforms and food security, the coalition also said that the purpose of the Bill would be lost if all the Central laws used for land acquisition were not brought within its purview. Addressing the Jan Sansad, Narmada Bachao Andolan activist Medha Patkar said the Government cannot take away land from people and give it to private companies. If the UPA Government was serious about addressing conflicts over acquisition of land and other natural resources then it must listen to the voices of those struggling or else it will only aggravate these conflicts across the country, she argued. “The displacement which is indiscriminately being carried out is unacceptable to us. The need of growth, infrastructure and urbanisation cannot be fulfilled on the graveyard of millions,” she said, adding that “development free from demolition is important and possible. But for this kind of development to become a reality, democratic units like Gram Sabhas must get the primary right in establishing developmental planning.” The coalition leaders announced that Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh had told them that the report on land acquisition would be made public soon with substantial changes. While arguing that there was an “unwritten scheme to exploit villagers, farmers and labours”, Aam Admi Party leader Prof. Yogendra Yadav said they were not without the power to overcome this kind of “exploitation”. “Farmers have three strengths to overthrow this kind of exploitation: the land under their feet, their right to vote and their dignity and pride which is still intact,” he said. During the public hearing, several experiences were shared by farmers across the country on how their land was being unfairly acquired and how the State Governments consistently failed to sort out the basic problems of farmers. An activist from Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, Kiran Kumar, said farmers in the State were facing difficulties because of lack of water. “In the last 10 years there have been seven famines and government schemes have been ineffective. Though Rs. 3,500 crore has been allocated to Bundelkhand, only 11 per cent has so far reached the farmers.” The coalition demanded that no agricultural land be forcibly acquired for non-agricultural purposes, including single crop and multi-crop land. On the other hand, the Union Ministry for Rural Development has taken a stand that only multiple crop land can be excluded. The coalition also criticised the present provisions of the Bill on resettlement and rehabilitation. “The proposed provisions of compensating employment with money and high rates for land acquired will only lead to speculative land market and will destroy the fragile economy of the rural hinterland which will lead to further urban migration.” Calling upon the Centre and the States to address the agrarian crisis with the highest urgency and priority, the coalition passed a resolution asking for a farmers’ policy with a comprehensive framework that ensures dignified livelihood for all sections of the farming community and people’s rights over agricultural resources. “We demand a statutory permanent income commission for farmers with the mandate of implementing an income assurance for all farming households – including small farmers, tenants, agricultural workers. This is necessary for ensuring food security and food sovereignty,” said the resolution passed by the Jan Sansad. (The Hindu 30/11/12)

'Mihan land acquisition will be over by February en d' (4) NAGPUR: Ahead of winter session of state legislature, the district administration expressed confidence that the land acquisition work for Mihan project would be over by end of February 2013. District collector Saurabh Rao told the media during guardian minister Shivajirao Moghe's press conference that 1,069 families of Shivangaon were objecting to the land acquisition and consequently the construction of taxiway for Boeing MRO was affected. However, after meeting chief minister Prithviraj Chavan the villagers had agreed to the government's offer. Explaining how the tangle was solved, Rao said, "As per rehabilitation rules if the land of a person having a house in rural area is acquired then he is given a 3,000 square feet plot as a part of compensation package. In case of a person without house the plot size is 1,500 square feet. However, when land is acquired in urban areas then the plot size is the same as the size of the one being acquired. "The villagers were demanding that as they were being shifted to a rural area, the plot size should be as per rules applicable to villages. CM agreed to their demand so the work on the taxiway was not affected," the collector said. He informed that a camp had been organized on December 3 to acquire land in Dahegaon, Telhara and Kalkuhi villages. "The gram sevaks, sarpanchs, talathis, police patils and local public representatives have been asked to remain present." Rao further said that the land acquisition for 6,000 hectare special manufacturing zone at Kuhi had hit a road block as a part of it was under forest department and another 1,200 area was under command area of irrigation projects. (Times of India 1/12/12) Pro-poor land acquisition bill to come before cabin et (4) New Delhi: The controversial land acquisition bill is back on the cabinet table, factoring in the concerns of the UPA leadership that wanted it pro-poor - farmers and tribals. The ministry of rural development on Monday moved a fresh cabinet note, which proposes consent of 80% of the land-losers for the government to acquire land for the industry. The proposal - a major alteration from the 67% consent as suggested by a Group of Ministers (GoM) - fits the political bill. UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi has reportedly sought a farmer-friendly legislation by raising the cut-off for consent, thus making the acquisition an inclusive decision at the ground-level. Acquisition and meagre compensation have led to agitations by farmers and tribals in several states. The move comes in the wake of a decision allowing FDI in retail, which the opposition stated as the government's insensitivity towards retailers. "We have moved the cabinet note," minister for rural development Jairam Ramesh said. The cabinet may discuss the proposals on Thursday. "Our effort would be to see Parliament passes the bill in the ongoing session," Ramesh said. The bill though stands distinct for lack of consensus from the very beginning, within the government and outside. It is still not clear what the consent rate would be for PPP projects. "The PPP projects decision could be left to the rationale of the state governments," Sharad Pawar, agriculture minister and head of the GoM, earlier said. (Hindustan Times 4/12/12) Land oustees denied rehab in Sambalpur (4) Sambalpur: The land oustees of Sambalpur district, who sacrificed their agricultural lands and villages for setting up of different industries, are now a worried lot. They alleged that the assurances given to them during land acquisition had not been fulfilled. “The sincerity and promptness shown during the land acquisition by both the State Government officials and the industries are not shown in the later stage as the farmers and the displaced persons have been ignored largely,” alleged Seshadev Pradhan and Jayakrushna Sahu, members, Rehabilitation and Periphery Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC) of Rengali area. Even, the RPDAC meetings are not held regularly to monitor the programme, they rued. Earlier, the elected representatives were displeased with the apathy shown to the land oustees, but now they are mum. The villagers and the members of the committee alleged that since the RPDAC meetings were not held regularly, the industries here were taking it as an opportunity for them to skip the issues of rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R). “Employment of the local educated youth, periphery development, redressal of different basic problems of the affected areas and its people and proper R&R for the displaced persons need to be discussed regularly in the RPDAC meetings. But this meeting is not held in regular interval with the result that the problems of the people remain unaddressed,” they lamented. They informed that the RPDAC meeting had not been held even for once since July, 2011. Hence, all the developmental works under the periphery development scheme have come to a halt in the industrial areas of the district, said Kaviraj Badhei and Upendra Pradhan, members of the RPDAC. They added that the industrial houses and the Government had played a treachery with the innocent locals by depriving them of their dues. When contacted, RPDAC Chairman-cum-RDC (northern division) Dr Alekh Chandra Padhiary said due to non confirmation of dates to attend the meeting by the public representatives, the RPDAC was not being held. In many districts under northern division the dates were fixed and later deferred as the problem lied with the leaders, Dr Padhiary clarified. “However, for Sambalpur district, a

review of the last RPDAC meeting would be held on December 17 to assess the progress,” he assured. (Pioneer 4/12/12) Court upholds land acquisition for power plant (4) CHENNAI: Taking note of the grim power situation in the state, and reiterating the need to commission pending power projects, the Madras high court has upheld the acquisition of more than 100 acres of land in Dharmapuri district for a power scheme. Justice V Dhanapalan, upholding the government's decision to invoke the urgency clause and dispense with inquiries, said, "In view of the power crisis faced by the state, delaying the commissioning of the power grid project will definitely cause serious prejudice. The authorities have proceeded with the acquisition process only after hearing the objections of the landowners and taking into account the feasibility report. Therefore, dispensing with Section 5-A inquiry is justified." The matter relates to 122.91 acres of lands in Somanahalli and Pangunatham villages in Dharmapuri, where a substation was to be established by the Power Grid Corporation. The acquisition process started in March 2011, as the sub-station was scheduled to be commissioned in March 2013. It was necessary to evacuate power generated from two private power producers in Tuticorin. While the authorities dispensed with a round of inquiry proceedings by invoking Section 5-A of the Land Acquisition Act, the landowners challenged the notification on grounds such as low compensation package, bypassing inquiry proceedings and failure to consider alternative sites for acquisition. Justice Dhanapalan, said, "taking into consideration the fact that the government and the public will be benefited by it, the government invoked urgency in view of the fact that the power crisis faced by the state is alarming." He added, "This is a case where public interest, urgency in implementation of the time-bound project, power crisis in the state and nation are involved, and hence inquiry under Section 5-A is not mandatory." The objections of landowners had been taken into consideration and only thereafter the acquisition notifications were issued, he pointed out. He then dismissed the batch of writ petitions saying the invoking of the urgency clause was justified. (Times of India 8/12/12) Rasulgarh residents oppose NH expansion (4) Bhubaneswar: Newly-floated Rasulgarh Lok Manch here opposed the expansion of the sides of the National Highway (5) by 1 km from Palasuni to Rasulgarh and threatened to go on an agitation, if the land acquisition is not stopped. Addressing a Press conference, Manch convenor Sanjaya Paikray and other members said that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) under the pretext of upgrading and widening the Bhubaneswar-Jagatstpur–Chandikhole high density corridor to six-lane had notified for land acquisition in both sides of the NH from Rasugarh to Palasuni. As part of a feasibility study, the NHAI had conducted public consultation meetings so as to explain the proposal of widening and improving the road and knowing the concerns, opinions and suggestions in the project design to make the project socially and environmentally acceptable. During the hearing, the local people, particularly the land owners, residents of both the sides of the road and business men had opposed the expansion saying that they would lose their landed property and the business establishments. Besides, hundreds of multi-storied buildings would be razed and thousands of people would lose their jobs, while a large number of small shopkeepers would be hit hard, they informed. During the hearing, in view of the concerns of the local residents and business men, the NHAI authorities had categorically said that no new land acquisition would take place except for junction improvement and approaches to the new bridges. But, the Manch members lamented that now the NHAI authorities had backed out of their assurance in writing and decided to acquire the valuable lands and demolish the buildings. Stating that the Bhubaneswar Comprehensive Development Plan prepared by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) had no mention of the expansion and had approved of the buildings near the NH, they said that the land acquisition process by the NHAI was illegal. While, a flyover bridge is being constructed between Rasulgarh square and Palasuni which would serve the purpose of six-laning the road, what is the necessity of additional land acquisition, they asked. The Manch would approach the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the BDA to intervene for the interest of the local residents, they said and added that very soon they would meet the Urban Development Minister and the Chief Minister seeking justice. If the NHAI would not stop the land acquisition, the Manch would take to streets and also file a case in the appropriate court of law to get justice, Paikray threatened. (Pioneer 9/12/12) SP stages protest against ‘forcible’ land acquisiti on (4) Bhopal: Protesting against alleged forcible acquisition of land from farmers, State unit of Samajwadi Party (SP) took out a rally and staged demonstration in the State capital, on Monday. The protestors who were trying to reach the Assembly were arrested by police and released later. “The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had promised during the elections that all the debts taken by the farmers will be waived if it is voted

in power. However, till date not a single farmer has been provided with the promised waiver,” State President of SP Gauri Singh Yadav alleged on the occasion. He further alleged that the State Government is acquiring land from the farmers by using force and coercive methods. “We want to raise voice against this injustice. Our objective is not to gain power,” he said. Earlier, the party workers assembled at the Yadgar-e-Shahjehani Park in the city from where they took out a protest march led by Gauri Singh Yadav towards the Assembly. Party leaders and workers riding cycles, the election symbol of the party, led the rally. The rally was stopped by the police near Lily Talkies. This irked Yadav who had heated arguments followed by a scuffle with the police. The police also used mild force against the protestors when they tried to move ahead. Later, the protestors again tried to move ahead towards the Assembly, following which the police arrested them. All the participants were then shifted to Kamla Park which was used as a temporary jail for the purpose. Interacting with the media at Kamla Park, Yadav said that the protest was crushed at the behest of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He also alleged that the police had earlier tried to stop party workers from entering the city. Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary Badal Saroj also participated in the protest. (Pioneer 11/12/12) Union Cabinet clears Land Acquisition Bill (4) New Delhi: The controversial Land Acquisition Bill was on Thursday cleared by the Union Cabinet, making mandatory the consent of 80% of people whose land is taken for private projects. In the case of Public-Private Partnership projects, the bill makes mandatory obtaining of consent of 70% of the people whose land will be for acquired. The bill was given the go-ahead at the Cabinet presided by Prime Minister Manmonan Singh. The bill was finalised by the Rural Development Ministry incorporating the suggestion of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi who had asked the government to take the consent from 80 per cent land owners for purchase of land for the purpose of setting up industries and PPP projects. Sources had said that Gandhi was not in favour of the Group of Ministers' proposal that the consent of two-thirds of "land losers" (from whom land would be purchased) was enough for acquiring land for industries and PPP projects. The GoM had suggested that the consent clause be kept at 67% for PPP projects and private projects. The government had constituted the GoM after some ministers voiced strong reservations against certain provisions of the bill at the Cabinet meeting. Minister of State for Rural Development Lalchand Kataria had yesterday told the Rajya Sabha that the government intends to introduce the official amendments to the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 in the Lok Sabha in the winter session. Kataria had also told the reporters that the bill has a provision for return of the unutilised land. Land Acquisition Act, 1894 had no provision for return of the unutilised land. (Hindustan Times 13/12/12) Return surplus land within a week: APIIC (4) VISAKHAPATNAM: The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) is learnt to have asked IT player Kenexa to return the surplus 21.7 acres of land at its Rushikonda IT SEZ facility within a week. This follows IT giant IBM finally taking over Kenexa's Vizag facility after the merger of Kenexa Global with IBM was recently concluded. According to sources, APIIC officials visited the Kenexa campus on Thursday to survey the surplus land that is to be taken over and have asked Kenexa Technologies to return the surplus land within a week. Kenexa was allotted about 25 acres by APIIC in 2005 to set up an IT/ITeS facility under the condition that it would staff at least 2,500 professionals. But even at its peak, the facility could not employ more than 1,500 employees despite leasing out a portion of it to another IT player. As the company failed to fulfill the employment criteria, APIIC had slapped a fine of Rs 80 crore, which became the bone of contention between the two companies in the merger deal. IBM wanted to return the excess land of 21.7 acres to APIIC and retain only the building that was built on four acres for its operations. This did not go well with Kenexa's Indian subsidiary Kenexa Technologies, the founding director of which Aneeta Sakuru filed a case in a Hyderabad court. (Times of India 14/12/12) Land acquisition brakes on high speed corridor? (4) LUCKNOW: Land acquisition seems to be the biggest roadblock for the Railways' ambitious high-speed rail corridor project. The ministry of railways has identified seven corridors for running the high speed passenger trains, and the pre-feasibility study conducted by its consultant says land acquisition would be the major hurdle in construction of the corridors. It's not only for the political uproar that the land acquisition procedure leads to, but also the lack of co-ordination between the centre and the state that comes to fore during land acquisition, which would pose hurdles for the project. In case of 991-kilometre-long Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi-Patna corridor, Railways will have to acquire land from all the states involved, and to do that, it will also need the NOCs from the state governments. The consultant, a British firm Mott MacDonald, has submitted its pre-feasibility study report to the ministry of railways. The report is

now under ministry's consideration. The land acquisition for 15 to 80 metre wide high speed corridor will depend on alignment. "The ministry has received several propositions, where area of land to be acquired would depend on the alignment," said sources in the ministry. But, whatever be the area of the land required for acquisition, sources in the ministry say that states' co-ordination would be needed foremost. The high speed rail corridors project is being handled by Indian Railways Construction Company ( IRCON) International Limited. Out of the seven corridors identified, pre-feasibility studies of three corridors have been completed by independent consultants. While the ministry has accepted the final report submitted for the 650 km-long Pune-Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, it's examining the report for 135-km-long Howrah-Haldia corridor and 991-km-long Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi-Patna corridor. The challenges for the corridors do not end here. The pre-feasibility study also says that to construct high speed corridors and to run trains at 300 kmph on them, the country lacks the needed expertise in engineering and construction. "This will require importing foreign technology, which will catapult the input cost for the projects," said sources. It's also a very long-term project, which would require massive investment. "Countries like the United Kingdom took eight years to implement the high speed corridor project. Taiwan began pre-feasibility study in 1995, but the operation began only in 2007," added sources. India started pre-feasibility studies only in 2007-08, and there could still be a long way to go. In case of Delhi-Agra-Lucknow- Varanasi-Patna corridor, designs for bridges to be build on Ganga and Yamuna will have to be done with lot of expertise. The high speed trains would either run at an elevated level like Metros, or at a gradient. The trains are not proposed to run underground. "All this would require at least five to six years for various studies for alignments, traffic, land acquisition, environmental impact and infrastructural requirements and bottlenecks," said sources. (Times of India 17/12/12) Land acquisition bill deferred till Budget session (4) New Delhi: The controversial Land Acquisition Bill is set for further delay as its consideration was deferred on Tuesday by the Lok Sabha till the next session bowing to the wishes of Opposition members. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said the Bill will be taken up for consideration as the first measure in the budget session. His statement came following pleas by BJP member Rajnath Singh, Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP), Basudeb Acharia (CPI-M) and Saugata Roy (TMC) for more time to discuss the provisions of the Bill which will have a wide ranging impact on farmers and industries. The Bill provides for a fair compensation to land owners in both rural and urban areas with the stipulation that consent of 80 per cent of the people for acquiring land for private industry is necessary. Despite Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council pushing for the law for long, the Bill has been hanging fire for sometime. It was referred to a GoM in the wake of differences in the Cabinet over certain provisions in the Bill, which has been described by Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh as a balanced one. The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 was introduced in Parliament in September last year and was referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee which submitted its recommendations in May. Opposing the consideration of the Bill in the current session, Mr. Rajnath Singh said the Bill is being moved when the session is coming to an end in two days. “This is not a simple Bill. It should not be hurried through. Had it been brought at the beginning of this session, we would have agreed to a discussion. Moreover, not all recommendations of the Standing Committee have been accepted in the Bill. So either the session should be extended or the Bill brought in the next session,” Mr. Singh said. Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP) spoke on similar lines and said the law will have an impact on farmers. “We want this Bill be taken up in the next session. It is an important Bill as land under agriculture is going down while the population is growing. The Bill should be discussed in the next session,” he said. Pressing for deferment of the Bill, Mr. Acharia complained that copies of the proposed legislation were circulated to members only this afternoon and it has been brought hurriedly before the House. He pointed out that 155 amendments have been moved with the Bill. Mr. Saugata Roy said the Land Acquisition Bill was not mentioned in today’s list of business and only one day was given to study the amendments. He said the Bill had gone to the Standing Committee earlier but all its recommendations have not been included. Hence it should be discussed in the next session. (The Hindu 18/12/12) Now, Medha Patkar calls BMIC illegal (4) Bangalore: The fight of those who believe their lands had been illegally acquired by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE) to construct the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) has received a major boost on Thursday with Medha Patkar, social activist known for her role in the Narmada Bachao Andolan, closing ranks with them. Patkar, while addressing a public meeting to rejuvenate the people’s campaign against NICE’s alleged illegal acquisition of land, said the entire BMIC project was based on illegalities and that it was an injustice to the people whose lands were acquired by violating rules and laws. While iterating that the people were not against the BMIC road but the manner in which people’s

lands had been acquired, she said the fraud lay in the lands being acquired under the Karnataka Industrial Development Act and not under Land Acquisition Act of 1984, which had led to the lands being acquired in the name of infrastructure development without properly addressing the compensations to those losing their properties. “Since 1995, what has been happening in the name of BMIC is a clear case of marginalising the rights of the people and taking over or encroaching upon the thousands of hectares of lands in the name of developing a highway or a peripheral road,” she said. When the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) was being formulated, the project’s technical report was by-passed. The entire BMIC project — comprising of the Bangalore-Mysore expressway, five townships on the expressway, and a peripheral road around Bangalore — was visualised with not more than 21,000 acres of land. But by by-passing the project’s technical report while formulating the CDP, no one was clear about where the lands could be notified. Patkar said even the 2,812 acres of land that was acquired for developing the peripheral road of the BMIC project around Bangalore ended up acquiring costly lands from poor people. “It is clear that all the parties and all the chief ministers since that time (when the project was conceived in mid-1990s) have played some role or the other with the bureaucrats, and yet everything that is done is almost totally illegal,” she said. “Taking over land granted to dalits and encroaching upon 10 lakes and 168 acres of forests land is something in violation of law and the Constitution. And if this type of corporate land-grabbing is promoted, who would save this country and the affected common people ?” Medha Patkar also visited a few of the villages between Bangalore and Mysore early Thursday morning and met the aggrieved people. She assured them that in addition to protests on ground, the movement against NICE’s BMIC project would involve an intensified legal battle to bring justice to the aggrieved people. (DNA 21/12/12) Green signal for land acquisition bill to push up M umbai flat rates (4) The Centre’s decision to pay four times more of a farm land under the Land Acquisition Bill will escalate land prices resulting in a hike in housing prices, say real estate experts. The Land Acquisition Bill was recently approved by the Union cabinet, making the consent of 80% of owners mandatory for private projects and 70% for the public-private-partnership projects. It is yet to be passed in the Lok Sabha and has been deferred to the Budget Session. “Property prices are primarily determined by the cost of land. If the land cost is high, the developers will try to recover it by increasing project prices,” said Manohar Shroff, general secretary of Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry, Navi Mumbai. He added that houses in Mumbai and in its peripheral locality is so high that people cannot afford it. Instead of reducing prices by abolishing various taxes such as stamp duty, service tax and VAT, the government’s policy will adversely affect prices. “The Bill, if approved, will badly affect the affordable housing sector. If land is cheap, then more affordable houses can be built,” Shroff said. He added that the land prices in Navi Mumbai has hiked flat prices because of soaring prices of land which is sold by a local body in an open auction. Atul Nemade, a real estate expert, said the cost of land is increasing each day. “Land is shrinking, leading tosoaring prices. Even if the government gives developers land for cheap, they do not construct affordable houses,” he said. “So, I do not buy the argument that cheap land will lead to more affordable houses.” Sharad Patil, Shiv Sena MLA and a farmers’ leader, said land is important to a farmer because it is the only source of livelihood. “Besides high compensation, a farmer should also have a stake in the project. So that their steady source of income can continue,” he said. (DNA 22/12/12) West Bengal govt's land policy affected industrial climate in 2012 (4) Kolkata: After a historical victory on the plank of Maa-Maati-Manush (mother-land-people), the Trinamool Congress government grappled with major economic issues during the year, which experts say, would warrant dramatic reversal of policies on issues such as land acquisition. It is felt the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's emphasis on a rigid land policy has pleased the farming community but not the industry. Banerjee's consistent tirade as the Opposition leader against Tata Motors' Nano plant at Singur, which was finally cancelled, had its impact on investor confidence in the state. It would have required a turnaround in the policy of the incumbent state government to woo investments by convincing farmers on the need to have a simultaneous growth in industry along with agriculture. Induction of industry-savvy former secretary general Ficci Amit Mitra as Finance Minister fuelled hopes of industrial revival during the year after Banerjee came to power in May 2011, endin0g the 34-year old Left rule. In August 2012, the state government formed a panel of Group of ministers (GoM) to formulate a new industrial investment policy for West Bengal. Besides Mitra, the panel included Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee and Labour Minister Purnendu Bose. Banerjee also announced that a new policy that would focus on IT and NRIs. Besides, she said a decision had been taken to set up two deep sea ports, in Sagar and Rasulpur and that global tenders would be floated for both of the them. Industrialists apprehend the government's emphasis that there would be no forcible acquisition of land and industry would have to directly purchase

from land owners, could slow down investments to a trickle. (Indian Express 26/12/12)