Maharashtra Minister of State for Energy Meghna Sakore-Bordikar on Thursday, 2 July told the Legislative Assembly that power transmission infrastructure projects across the state will not proceed unless fair and beneficial compensation is secured for all affected farmers. The assurance came in response to a Calling Attention Motion and signals a firm policy commitment from the state government.

Key Developments in the Assembly

The Calling Attention Motion was moved by MLA Sunil Shelke, with active participation from legislators Yogesh Sagar, Abhijit Patil, and others. MoS Bordikar used the occasion to walk the House through the historical evolution of farmer compensation norms tied to power transmission work — a policy area that has undergone three significant revisions over the past 15 years.

How Compensation Norms Have Evolved

Prior to 2010, farmers received no compensation whatsoever when power transmission infrastructure was laid across their land. A policy introduced in 2010 changed this, providing phased compensation at 25%, 50%, and 65% of the market rate. A further revision in 2017 raised the bar, offering compensation equivalent to double the Ready Reckoner rate for tower base land and 15% for the Right of Way (RoW) beneath transmission lines.

The most recent overhaul, introduced in 2022, significantly enhanced the framework. For tower base land, farmers now receive whichever is highest among the market rate, the Ready Reckoner rate, or the average of the three highest land transaction rates recorded in that village over the previous three years. Compensation for land directly beneath transmission lines under the RoW has been doubled — from 15% to 30%.

What the Policy Means for Farmers

'The land ownership remains entirely with the farmer; no land acquisition takes place in this process. Furthermore, farmers face no restrictions in continuing their agricultural activities under the transmission lines,' MoS Bordikar clarified to the House.

To illustrate the practical impact, she cited the example of Khujgaon Khurd village. While the base land rate there stands at ₹1,998.83 per square metre, farmers are being paid ₹3,997.66 per square metre for tower bases and ₹599.65 per square metre for land falling under transmission lines.

Dispute Resolution and Oversight

A committee headed by the respective District Collector determines compensation rates based on prevailing local market values. Farmers can file objections within 30 days of the announcement of compensation rates, and District Collectors are mandated to resolve such appeals within 60 days.

Concerns Over Smallholders and Tribal Farmers

Addressing specific concerns about potential losses to smallholders and tribal farmers holding government-allotted land, MoS Bordikar said the government was treating the matter with utmost seriousness. She added that high-level meetings would soon be convened with the District Collectors of Palghar and Thane to review these cases and formulate additional protective measures. This comes amid broader national attention on the rights of tribal and marginal landholders in infrastructure development corridors.