Q16.The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 has come into effect from Ist January 2014. What are the key issues which would get addressed with the Act in place? What implications would it have on industrialization and agriculture in India?

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act) came into effect on January 1, 2014, replacing the colonial Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

• Addresses inadequate compensation, forced acquisition, opaque processes, and lack of rehabilitation under the old law.
• Key provisions include fair compensation (up to 4x market value in rural areas), mandatory Social Impact Assessment (SIA), and consent requirements (70-80%).
• Ensures comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement packages for affected families.

• Increased project costs and potential delays due to SIA and consent requirements.
• Reduced social unrest and legal disputes, leading to a more transparent and sustainable acquisition process.

• Ensures better compensation and R&R for farmers, protecting them against arbitrary land grabs.
• Considers food security by restricting acquisition of multi-cropped irrigated land.

The Act aims to balance the need for development with the rights of land owners, especially farmers, promoting inclusive growth. Challenges persist in implementation and balancing development with farmer protection.