Yamuna Expressway is always projected as a project that will reduce the time to travel between Delhi and Agra and the area around it will be developed for industrial and model township. But last month, we heard about it for a wrong reason. Agitation, arson and killing were linked to it instead of development and industrialisation around the expressway.
Now the question arises, what is the root cause for such an agitation that disrupts normal life not only of the farmers of Uttar Pradesh but also of Delhites. Apart from that, Indian Parliament also saw disruption of its mansoon session many times.
The bone of contention is the acquisition of land of the farmers for the proposed expressway and the model township to be developed by Jaypee Group by the UP Government. According to Land Acqusition Act, 1894, the goverment can acquire private land for public purposes. As defined in the act, Section 3(f) "public purpose" means building educational institutions, town or rural planning, residential purposes to the poor or landless. Moreover, it also include that land can be acquired for any premises or building for locating a public office, but does not include acquisition of land for companies.
There are two schools of thoughts which are prevelent among the farmers not only in that region but whole India as land acquisition is a India-wide phenomenon. According to one school, government is acquiring land for Big Businesses and not for overall development of that region. Moreover, some have reasoned that compensation is not good enough as it takes at least two generations to change your profession and lifestyle. Even government is not providing them any information or knowledge for investing that money. Ironically, only plus point is increase in the Excise revenue with the sale of Liquor and increase in the number of automobiles (Car and Motorcicles). Furthermore, resentment is brewing in the youngsters, they said they want to go with agriculture on their fertile land instead of being 4th class employ in the factory built on their land.
Second school of thought thinks that compensation given is not fair. They should be provided fair compensation at par with what is given in Noida and Haryana. According to them, government only gave 4 lakh per Bigha whereas government will sell that land at exhorbitant rate.
So, what will be the probable solution for this problem? Yesterday, TV channels like NDTV, ZEE News, IBN Live were showing debates on this issue and spokespersons of political parties like Congress, BJP, RLD, Left were there showing genuine concern about farmers. Ajit Singh, Rita Bahuguna and Naqvi with member of Bhartiya Kisan Union were unanimously agreed that land acquisition is a necessity but there must be some checks-and-balances so that the affected one will be adequately benefitted. Moreover, acquisition must be for the public purpose and government must not act as "Dealer" for big companies. Even, Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2007, which seeks to amend the 1894 Act must be passed as early as possible. Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi had assured the public in the epicentre of the farmer's unrest, Tupple (UP) that this bill will be introduced in the next session is a welcome step.
Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2007 which seeks to amend the 1894 Act and guarantee market price for acquired land. It also makes provision for social impact assesment studies of the development project and costs related to the resettlement of the displaced masses.
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