Monday 10 June 2013

Inadequate compensation for land

Already 154 amendments have been made to the "Land Bill" and it has not been passed in both the houses yet. There is clearly reasons to believe that it is anti farmer and anti people. Land Bill says that there is no need for consent of the residents of the land if land is acquired for mining. Even if issue of allocation of "mines" is not appearing in the news, land with highly rich mineral deposits are being taken away from the farmers and given to the mining industrialists. The definition of "land for pubic purpose" is too broad, and anything can be called public purpose; and the consent of the farmer is not needed for land acquisition for "public purpose" The farmer's well being is not considered at all. When mineral deposits are found on tribal lands, the consent of the local tribal people is required. Are the tribal people aware of the consequences of sacrificing their land?No they are not aware. Only if the tribal people are given a share in the industry which is developed in their land, the terms will not be "just". Tribal people do not know how to protest. Land has been acquired for Delhi-Mumbai corridor. And before the people know what happened to their land, it would be gone. And years and years of trials in courts may get them some compensation. This corridor will be used by urbanites for their own benefits. How will it benefit the farmer. Unless we make policies to benefit the farmer, we cannot truly progress. For the farmers feeds us all. Calcutta-Amritsar corridor has been flagged off. When will benefits for farmers start?Till then we will be paying higher and higher for cereals lentils, fruits and vegetables, not realizing that we have harmed the hand that feeds us. Inadequate compensation for land will lead to greater inequalities among our people. Do we know those consequences?Rural uprising.

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