The Ordinance Amending the Land Acquisition Law (2013): Farmers Lose out in the Unequal Contest of Power

In: Social change, Band 45, Heft 2, S. 324-336

Abstract

The Land Acquisition Act 1894 was comprehensively amended in 2013 which, among others, provided for prior consent of land owners in cases of acquisition for private companies and public partnerships, social impact assessment of all projects requiring land acquisition and restrictions on acquisition of irrigated agricultural land to accommodate some of the concerns of people affected by land acquisition. The ordinance promulgated in 2014 nullifies them to make land available to project authorities without hassles with a view to promoting growth. The changes carried out clearly demonstrate the clout of the industry in public policy making. Farmers and others dependent upon land for livelihood lose out in this contest of power.