Plans hit as Delhi loses power to acquire land
Delhi’s development faces a hard time due to lack of full statehood. As per the new central law on land acquisition that was in effect from January 1 the union territories have to vest all powers in centre leaving authorization in land acquisition for projects. Therefore, there is a dusk of ambiguity over at least 15 development projects in Delhi, besides the development of Metro.
As per the constitution Delhi is still classified as union territory rather being a full state. According to The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, Resettlement Act 2013, UT’s does not have authority to hold fresh land acquisition, not even under ‘urgency’ clause. In Delhi a land can only be undertaken with home ministry’s clearance.
Delhi’s chief secretary has decided to notify the home ministry to entrust land acquisition powers to the city through a special stipulation only after seeking legal opinions. Earlier all acquisitions were made according to Land acquisitions Act 1984 until the new law came into force. The centre has passed its powers to the Delhi government for acquiring land.
Various developmental projects still in limbo
Land has now become a vital subject in capital. Only after settling the terms of compensation the city’s land and building department used to clear the civic agencies’ demands for acquiring land. The rules for both states and UT’s were set after the new law that falls under the scope of the rural development ministry.
Presently there are almost 15 development projects that are yet to be cleared for land acquisition. These will wait until there are any instructions for any movement of the centre. There are some projects that have been moved into the new law, they are: acquisition of land to speed up completion of the grade separator at Rani Jhansi Road; low-cost housing for relocation and rehabilitation of urban poor under JNNURM; a government school in Beharipur; a hospital in Karol Bagh; an open jail in Baprola; road widening in Bhajanpura and an approach road in Bakarwala.
As per the senior officials if the centre does not act fast all the clearances related to Metro projects may get slowed down.
As stated to the provisions of new law, a sequence of checks has been introduced to avoid misuse of those inhabiting the land proposed to be undertaken. Initially there will be a thorough social impact assessment, followed by an expert group review and public hearings. In the end, the sanction of all those to be compensated and reformed will need to be added to the new law.
As per the law the exiled people will now be heard. But there will be long delays for the assessment of every project requiring land by the land and building department. It could take 2-yrs for the assessment as per the experts.
Source: The Economic Times
Bakarwala, Baprola, Beharipur, Bhajanpura, Civic agencies, Karol Bagh, land acquisition, Land and building department, Metro, New Delhi, Rani Jhansi Road, rehabilitation, Resettlement Act 2013, Rural Development Ministry, union territories
