Higher compensation for land acquired for NH projects

Aiming to expedite the highway building works, the Centre has decided to give higher compensation to farmers if their land has been acquired under the old land acquisition act but are yet to receive compensation.

With over 2,000 highway projects stuck due to dispute over compensation issue, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has directed that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) will give more compensation in such cases so that works start early, a senior official in the Ministry told Deccan Herald.

If farmers land acquired in old land acquisition act has entered into dispute, in such cases, higher compensation will be given to land owners as per the provisions of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

Besides, the decision will also be applicable to farmers whose awards were fixed prior to January 1, 2015, but physical possession of land so acquired has not been taken.

“The issue was referred to the Additional Solicitor General...It has been opined that in cases initiated under NH Act 1956 but award has not been announced by December 31, 2014, land acquisition Act 2013 will apply under section 24 (I)... You are therefore requested to take necessary action towards settlement of cases,” the official said.