http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Acquisition_Act,_1894 http://www.livemint.com/2011/09/06011340/UPA-signs-off-on-new-landacqu.html http://www.hindustantimes.com/Govt-cannot-change-purpose-of-acquired-landSC/Article1-753875.aspx http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-06/india/30118722_1_landacquisition-cabinet-meeting-acres-in-urban-areas http://land.delhigovt.nic.in/la.html http://www.rediff.com/news/column/why-the-land-acquisition-bill-isflawed/20110913.htm http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/investmentworld/article2503900.ece http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/india-inc-balks-at-new-land-billcalls-for-balance_589673.html - implication of LAB http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.

com/2011-0917/news/30169164_1_land-acquisition-bill-new-land-real-estate-firms implications of LAB state wise LAB details http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-22/nagpur/30188611_1_landacquisition-resettlement-bill-farm-land - medha patkar protest against LAB http://www.frontline.in/stories/20111021282110300.htm - Mamta victory in Singur case http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-03/noida/30238883_1_landrow-land-acquisition-new-land - TOI discussion on land row

Problems related to land acquisition are different from state to state and this aspect needs to be looked into, Ms. Mahajan, who represents Indore Lok Sabha seat, said. There are some states where infertile land is more. But there are some areas, like Malwa region where I come from, which are totally fertile. Does this mean that in Malwa, there wont be any development? she said. Density of population, status of village and farmers are some of the criteria which will have to be taken into account, Ms. Mahajan said, adding development is necessary but protecting interests of farmers is also necessary.

To a query on social activist Anna Hazares demand that approval of village gram sabha should be sought before going ahead with any development project, Ms. Mahajan said, While formulating laws we should speak to everyone. "Under the proposed set of rehabilitation and resettlement guidelines, the developers' cost of acquiring land greater than 100 acres is likely to increase by 25-350% depending on current costs." he report points out that a number of developers, like Unitech, DLF and HDIL that own large land banks in the country will benefit, as they are now in the process of selling land. "The higher cost of land acquisition for other developers should now ideally benefit them," says the report, which was prepared by research analysts Aatash Shah and Vineet Verma. However, developers still interested in purchasing large sized land parcels for township development or SEZs could also possibly divide their land acquisition amongst various subsidiaries to avoid breaching the 100 acre mark, Today, the Union cabinet approved the Bill. It will be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after which it will go to the standing committee, rural development minister Jairam Rameshsaid after a cabinet meeting While the initial draft prohibited acquisition of multi-crop, irrigated land, the final version allows acquisition of up to 5%subject to certain conditions. It also says if the land acquired is not used for the stated purpose, it will not be returned to the original owner, but go to the state land authority. The rural development ministry draft has relaxed its earlier proposal for total ban on acquisition of multi-crop land. Now, a maximum of 5% multi-crop land can be acquired in a district on the condition that equal area of degraded land would be developed. If net sown area is less than 50% of total land in a district, then only 10% of such land is open for acquisition for different projects. Another significant modification by the ministry includes the definition of public purpose. It now clearly distinguishes between land acquisition by

government for its own use and for transfer to private firms for a public purpose project. The draft Bill permits land acquisition under three broad categorieswhen the government acquires land for its own use; when it acquires to ultimately transfer to private companies for a given public purpose, and immediate and declared use by private firms for public purpose. In the original draft, it was proposed that the latter two kinds of acquisitions can take place only after the consent of 80% of the families was obtained. In addition to the existing public purposes when acquired by government for its own use, it has been added that the state will also not need the 80% consent if it acquires land for railways, highways, ports, power and irrigation purposes Land acquired by the government or its instrumentalities for a specific public purpose cannot be changed and transferred to private individuals or corporate bodies, the Supreme Court has held. It has, however, neither satisfactorily addressed ways to cut back on the time involved in land acquisition nor does it seem to have kept in mind the financial feasibility at least in the case of large-scale infrastructure and other projects. SDV Criticism: The problem is that there are limited land transactions in rural areas, besides much of it being done in cash. Quite a few even put-off registration procedures. The infrequent transactions mean that the last market price may be way away from the current price. Two, the development as a result of acquisition may entirely change the land value in the area. The Greenfield Hyderabad airport project in Shamshabad resulted in the government reportedly paying Rs 4 lakh per acre for land to local farmers. On launch of the project, prices in the area were said to have touched Rs 1 crore an acre. That's more than four times!

Yet another clause in the Bill talks of returning the land to the owner (seller) if the same is not utilised within five years. State governments typically buy land en masse, with a long-term view. The Tamil Nadu or Gujarat Governments have been able to allot land for FDI projects quickly because of their land holding. Real-estate players such as DLF set an example of private players successfully negotiating with thousands of farmers to acquire 3,500 acres of land in Gurgaon with the company claiming that there was not even a single litigation. Alternatives o Even as the debate on how much is too much goes on, it may be time to seriously look at the some of the inclusive models employed both by farmers themselves as well as the buyers of land. The Magarpatta City in Pune is a classic example of 123 farm households pooling 400 acres to form a private company that developed a town for commercial and residential purposes. These farmers, besides holding shares in the company, earn dividends, rent and income from contract work in the

city. More importantly, they hold the title to their land, an emotional booster. If that is an initiative from the farmers, many developers, including Godrej Properties, have been using joint development models, with the developer sharing up to a third of the profits/income from these projects with the landowners (joint developers as they are called). This model is especially beneficial in urban areas where land cost is not cheap; it helps avoid direct land dealings and locking up capital.

The proposed new land bill means cost increases and project delays for developers, thanks to rules that will raise land values and compel them to provide new homes, jobs, monthly stipends and a cut of future profits to former landowners. Another way to look at it would be to see how it curbs black money frm flowing in the sector which was govt ka main aim. Builders of roads, power plants and other big projects are already burdened with rising costs and more expensive credit after 12 interest-rate hikes in 18 months and also ending the dreams of affordable housing for the middle class segment. Double whammy to investors too 1 from int rates high n two from blders comp farmers so cost increasing so they receovering it in form of higher home prices. Medha patkar issue of using fertile agri land for industrialization used for food security Criticisms of the bill: 1. 20% profit.. how to share 2. 100 acres? 3. Infrastructure facilities only for 2 families 4. Fertile land shud be allowed medha patkar 5. Cost of acquisition incre passed to consumers already high int dd falls realty sect suffers 6. Retuning land to owners if nt used in 5 yrs 7. Good pts:

1. Black money less 2. Govt revenue incre 3. Scapping of emergency clause 4. Clearly defines public purpose

5. DLF Alternatives: 2 pts Urgency clause - noida extension 22 km stretch between noida n grter noida coz in noida etn major resi proj cmin up 9around 70% of total are resi projects) Who decides about preists etc techers etc for skool expl for pt 4 of criticism Humaniraian vs industrial shift frm primary sector