Land Acquisition in Jammu

Sir,
This is in response to article titled “Forcible Land Acquisition in Jammu district” by Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat (Daily Excelsior 15.12.2018). Jammu district is losing its fertile and quality land on a daily basis. In return, the effected families neither get due compensation nor are they rehabilitated because J&K Land Acquisition Act 1934 has no such provision. How can Government justify to acquire land by invoking an 85 year old law while as rest of the country has adopted a modern law on land acquisition that not only guarantees fair compensation but there is a clear policy of rehabilitation and resettlement as well ? I am referring to Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (LARR) enacted during Congress lead UPA -II Government in 2013.
The law has not be extended to J&K and neither have successive Governments enacted a new land acquisition law with similar provisions. I appeal the Governor to take a call on this issue and issue an ordinance for a new land acquisition act. In addition, the stamp duty rates across Jammu district and all other districts should be revisited and enhanced. How can there be 50 to 60 times difference in market rate of land and its stamp duty rate ? Government must address these discrepancies at any cost so that farmers and people in general get a sigh of relief.
Balvinder Singh
Convener Sangharsh
RTI Movement

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here