What is the Central Government’s Ordinance on
Land Acquisition Act 2013?
During the campaign
for the general elections of Loksabha, the present ruling party has promised
the people that they will bring “achchhe din” (better times) for the
country. It’s a fact that farmers suicide still continue to take place. It is
unfortunate that even after 68 long years of Independence, farmers have to
commit suicides out of adverse financial situations. The ordinance brought by the
Central Government to amend the Land Acquisition 2013 will worsen the situation
further. It may be remembered that the present Land Acquisition Act (2013) has
been brought after 118 long years when the incidences of violence occurred in
places like Singur, Maan, etc out of protest of farmers for the land
acquisition. It transpires clearly that incidence of such violence shall
re-occur because of the new amendments brought by an ordinance.
It was expected
that the new government will act pro-farmers and provide them some relief.
However, this ordinance adequately clarifies that this government is an
anti-farmer government and it wants to promote crony capitalism at the cost of
farmers and their land.
In the The Right to
Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and
Resettlement Act 2013 (referred as LARR Act for short), there was a provision
to seek a prior consent of at least 70 per cent people of the local area before
acquiring land for projects. This ordinance has terminated this procedure which
means that the government will now be able to acquire any land at its will and
whims. This is completely against the democratic procedures.
Also, the LARR Act
was equipped with provision to conduct a public hearing as a part of Social
Impact Assessment (SIA) before acquiring the land deciding on any project. This
provision has been quashed now. Now since no SIA is required, there is no
question of any public hearing. Democracy is all about discussions and
deliberations which this government is denying. This will deprive the far4mers
from their lawful rights.
The LARR act
provided that in case a land acquired for a specific purpose remains unused for
a period of five years, the land should be transferred back to the original
farmer forthwith. However, the new ordinance has diluted this provision to an
unacceptable and illogical extent.
The said Act has
offered some special concessions to the projects which are in national interest
and in public interest. Now through this ordinance, private hospitals and
private schools are also included in the list of such projects. Private
hospitals charge exorbitant fees not affordable to a common man and the private
schools are also very costly for a common man. The government must clarify as
to why it wants the private hospitals and private schools to get this undue
advantage and favor?
In view of the food
security of the country, the LARR Act had a provision that the fertile land
having the potential of two or more crops in a year should not be acquired.
This provision has been quashed now. Our food security relies on the crop
production which we take from fertile lands. The sufficient food cannot be
availed without fertile lands. Now through this ordinance, even the irrigated
lands can be acquired easily by the capitalists. It is obvious that the
government wishes to bring achchhe din only to a few capitalists and not
to the farmers.
Gram sabhas are
equally important to Loksabha and Vidhan sabhas. Gram sabha elects the
representatives of Loksabha and Legislative assembly. So it is obvious that
Gram sabha is the mother of Loksabha and Legislative assembly. Gram Sabha is sovereign. It is not elected
but it elects the members of Loksabha (House of people) and legislative
assembly. The resources such as water, land and forest; belonging to a village
are supposed to be the assets of Gram sabha and therefore central government cannot
decide its disposal without consulting the Gram Sabha.
Since 1857 to 1947, for around 90 long years, thousands of the martyrs have
sacrificed their life for freedom. They were dreaming that exit of the British
and Home Rule will bring a substantial change to make India a democratic
nation. The British left India in 1947 but the country is yet to get the real
democracy. The question is whether we will let their sacrifice go in vain or we
are ready to sacrifice to establish the democratic means of governance. Let us
rise and be ready for any sacrifice which our country demands at this point of
time.
Jay Hind!
Yours,
K. B. Alias Anna Hazare
