JAIPUR: A private land aggregation Bill will be introduced by the state govt in the upcoming assembly session to expedite industrial and infrastructure projects through hassle-free land acquisitions.
As per the proposed bill, landowners will be provided with developed land instead of cash compensation as usual. A minimum of 25% developed land must be granted in exchange for compensation, according to the draft.
Currently, land pooling laws in Rajasthan are limited to urban projects and lack clear timelines, authority for land aggregation, and procedures for returning unused land.
“The govt believes that the Bill will ensure availability of adequate land for large-scale projects and enhance investor confidence in the state. The bill will be introduced in the coming assembly session,” an official involved in the process said.
To streamline the acquisition process, the draft law proposes to institute a Land Aggregation and Development Authority, which will aggregate private land as per the request of govt departments, corporations, and boards.
Prior to applying for approval, these govt entities have to identify the land parcels with the help of district collectors.
Suresh Agarwal, president of industry body FORTI, said, “Forceful land acquisition, common for public and industrial projects, causes displacement, disrupts livelihoods, and breaks social networks, leading to resistance and conflicts between landowners and the govt.”
