The success story of bihar

Monday, February 19, 2007

Bengal in mind, Nitish increases compensation for acquired land

PATNA, FEBRUARY 18: Perturbed over Singur and Nandigram in West Bengal, the Bihar government has resorted to major changes in its land acquisition policy. In a bid to prevent landowners from getting outraged over acquisition of their holdings, the Nitish Kumar government has decided to pay 50 per cent over and above the existing government rates, besides an additional compensation between 30 to 60 per cent. The state cabinet took a decision in this regard on Saturday.
Cabinet Secretary Girish Shankar said the changes have been made in the Bihar Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy, taking into consideration the need for land acquisition for various development projects in the state.
Landowners who will give their land voluntarily, the state government has decided to dole out an additional compensation of 60 per cent. Changes were also made in acquisition of inhabited areas. If the government acquires housing land, then it would provide a maximum of five decimal of land apart from Rs 10,000 for temporary accommodation and Rs 5,000 for transportation of goods. Small farmers, whose land will be acquired, will get a wage of 200 days and a job card.
The state machinery is already toiling to arrange land for the proposed sugar complexes cleared by the cabinet.
South Indian major, Rajshri Sugars had decided to buy land directly from the farmers for setting up a sugar mill in East Champaran district. After moving around for three months, company officials realised that it was impossible for them to arrange land. “Thereafter we urged the government to acquire land for us,” said an official of Rajshri. “Many farmers were not willing to sell their land. And for those willing to do so, there were too many holders and litigations.”
In Kursella, farmers are up in arms against the proposed land acquisition for a power plant. They feel that the only available upland in the flood prone region is being targeted by the state government.

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