Maharashtra farmers to get 5-times higher compensation for land acquisition

MUMBAI: The farmers in Dondaicha constituency in Dhule district will be the first beneficiaries of five times higher compensation for land acquisition following the new rate announced by the Maharashtra government.

The coal-based thermal power project was stuck in BJP legislator Jaykumar Rawal's constituency for the last two years as farmers opposed the land acquisition process and waited for a new Bill after it was introduced in Parliament by the then UPA government.

According to state Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse, farmers will be content and allow their land to be acquired if they get a compensation higher than their expectations.

"We have recently taken the decision to compensate two-and-half times more than the cost of land by ready reckoner (RR) rate for its acquisition in urban area. Whereas land owner in rural area will get five times more compensation than the rate of RR," he said.

Elaborating on the decision, the minister said, "For a land worth Rs 100, the land owner will get Rs 400 and Rs 100 as additional 25 per cent compensation in rural areas. That means he will get five times more compensation."

In urban areas, a land owner will get double the compensation than the rate of RR and if the land is purchased with open negotiations, he will get two-and-half times compensation than that of the RR rate, Khadse said.

"The government resolution was issued on May 12 this year and first beneficiary will be from BJP legislator Jaykumar Rawal's constituency Dondaicha in Dhule district," he said.

Rawal, along with a delegation of project-affected land owners, had met Khadse yesterday at Mantralaya. He had requested the minister to resolve the issue of land acquisition as the 3,300 MW thermal power project was stuck in his constituency.

"When farmers or land owners get five times the compensation, they will happily give away their land for the project. The issue will be resolved very soon and the project will be completed in the upcoming years," Khadse said.