How is Maharashtra Government Simplifying Land Acquisition?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Maharashtra government is set to amend land acquisition processes to enhance development and ensure fair compensation for farmers. Crucial discussions are underway to facilitate smoother transactions while addressing the challenges faced by the government in acquiring land. These transformative changes aim to accelerate state development projects.
Key Takeaways
- Maharashtra is revising land acquisition laws.
- New regulations aim to ensure fair compensation.
- Farmers may sell land at lower prices temporarily.
- Cabinet approved changes for residential land use.
- Ex gratia grant to aid spinning mill workers.
Mumbai, Aug 5 (NationPress) Maharashtra's Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Tuesday that the state plans to revise land acquisition processes to facilitate development projects and assure farmers receive fair compensation. A new framework of regulations will be established to address these needs.
During a meeting that addressed numerous concerns, the possibility of allowing farmers to consent to sell their land at lower prices under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act was discussed. The session was chaired by Minister Bawankule at the Mantralaya and included Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ashish Jaiswal, former MLA Pasha Patel, along with other senior officials.
Minister Jaiswal pointed out that while individuals can buy land freely, the government encounters obstacles in its acquisition efforts. He emphasized the necessity for provisions enabling farmers to sell land at a price below the market value for a limited timeframe if they choose.
Minister Bawankule instructed all divisional commissioners to gather data on options for acquiring land at lower prices and the acquisition laws in other states, such as Gujarat and Telangana.
Furthermore, the meeting decided to seek information on facilities offered in exchange for job opportunities. If the proposed regulations favor the government, additional discussions will follow to formulate new guidelines, which are expected to expedite development projects in the state.
In a related development, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved a proposal to revoke the reservation of a playground on a parcel of land in Pachora (District Jalgaon) and reallocate it for residential use. This pertains to Reservation No. 49 – "Playground" – under Survey No. 44/1 in the Pachora Municipal Council's development plan. The council had submitted this proposal to the government on April 5, 2021.
A report from the Town Planning Department indicated that despite this change, the remaining area reserved for playgrounds is sufficient, with over 13 hectares in adjacent Ward 1 already allocated for sports activities. Hence, the Cabinet sanctioned the alteration to convert the land into a residential zone.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved a special ex gratia payment of Rs 50 crore to 1,124 workers from the funds obtained through the sale of land from a spinning mill, addressing long-standing demands from the workers of the closed Nagpur Weavers' Cooperative Spinning Mill.
The mill's closure has caused significant hardships for the employees. A decision was made to allocate a special ex gratia grant from the land sale proceeds during a meeting on July 9, 2024, chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister. The proposal was subsequently approved.
The land, measuring 20.20 acres, was sold to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority at the prevailing market rate, and the funds for the grant will be sourced from this sale. The distribution will be managed through the Directorate of Textiles, Nagpur.
Point of View
The Maharashtra government's initiative to streamline processes is a critical step towards balancing development needs with farmer interests. These proposed regulations reflect a commitment to transparency and fairness, underscoring the government's dedication to fostering progress while addressing the concerns of its citizens.
NationPress
09/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What changes are proposed in land acquisition regulations?
The Maharashtra government plans to create new regulations to streamline land acquisition processes and ensure fair compensation for farmers.
How will these changes affect farmers?
Farmers may have the option to sell their land at lower prices under certain conditions, which could provide them with more flexibility.
What is the significance of the meeting held by Minister Bawankule?
The meeting aimed to address various challenges in land acquisition and gather insights for new regulations to facilitate smoother processes.
What other decisions were made during the Cabinet meeting?
The Cabinet approved the conversion of a playground reservation in Pachora for residential use and approved an ex gratia grant for spinning mill workers.
Who will oversee the distribution of the ex gratia grant?
The distribution of the grant will be managed through the Directorate of Textiles in Nagpur.
