KOLHAPUR: The Maharashtra government’s notification of January 14 to reduce the market price of land to be acquired for building state and national highways by 20% is set to meet with opposition. As per current norms, the government pays four times the existing market rate.
After the Centre made the land acquisition law, it allowed states to modify the existing laws by the way of a notification. The state government’s move will severely reduce the compensation received by land owners, mostly farmers.
Farmers’ leader and former MP Raju Shetti has slammed the move, saying amendments were earlier introduced to the central law which had same impact.
“After largescale uproar from across the country, the Modi government had to hold back the amendments. It, however, asked the states to bring in changes by way of notification to implement similar amendments. We will resist the implementation of the decision tooth and nail,” he said.
Shetti alleged that the highway building companies recover their cost by way of toll tax, which increases every passing year. “However, farmers will not get decent compensation for their land, which is their main source of livelihood,” he said.
Shetti added that he would be meeting Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar to demand that the state government roll back its decision.
