Sir,
This refers to article ‘Forcible acquisition of Agricultural land” by Dr Raja Muzaffar (Excelsior 24.02.2018) , The author has highlighted a burning issue of obsolete land acquisition law which needs to be repealed by enacting a progressive legislation. Government off an on claims that agriculture is the backbone of our economy , but on the other hand it has no clear land use policy with them. If an individual or a farmer tries to construct a house on his own agricultural land the officials of revenue department plus PWD come and harass him , but when it comes to construction of roads , highways and other public infrastructure, the environmental and similar aspects are not taken into consideration.
We are losing our mere 32 percent agricultural land on daily basis due to official negligence . Within next 10 years agricultural land availability will be reduced to 20 to 25 percent only. If Government need to acquire agricultural land out of urgency or compulsion , the farmers or land owners should at least be compensated fairly. The non applicability of Central Land Acquisition law in J&K is affecting the lives of our farmers. Around 100 percent Jabiraana is paid across other states of India , but in J&K the Solatium or Jabirana rate is mere 15 percent. Civil society groups , NGOs and media must come forward and impress upon the Government to change its draconian policies vis a vis land acquisition in J&K.
Yours etc….
B A Bhat (Advocate)
Srinagar
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