Case studies of alternative land acquisition models in india

Abstract

Independent India continued with the land acquisition policy based on the doctrine of eminent domain.In the early two and three decades after independence, land acquisition has not been a major challenge Rights were limited, political and non-political organizations mobilizing the public against such acquisitions made them aware of the different provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. However, this situation has gradually changed and land acquisition for infrastructure and developmental works has become difficult. At places like Singer in West Bengal the government was forced to stop the land acquisition and have finally returned the land to the original owners based on court directions. Courts that have generally limited themselves to compensate for property acquired in the interest of society rather than the welfare of an individual have gradually begun to see land acquisition from different perspectives. Even after repeal of the colonial land acquisition act of 1894 and enactment of the new citizen friendly land acquisition act in 2013, the government continues to face major challenges in acquiring lands. At the same time there have been some initiatives in employing alternative land acquisition models and employing them successfully. This study traces the process of land acquisition in India and makes case studies of a few alternative land acquisition models and their reception by the people.