Land is not equal to money

Out of the three primary reasons of disputes which we generally tag in India (Jar, Jamin and Joru) the Jamin (Land) disputes are turning out to be bloodshed, disturbing public life and damaging public properties

Whether the land dispute is between the countries say India and Pakistan (LOC and POK) or within the states (such as Hyderabad issue) or between state and farmers they are always prolonged and turn to be controversial.

Lastly we learnt about the land acquisition in Bengal for the upcoming factory project. The entire deal was in news because of the agitation by the farmers protesting for project and the entire acquisition pricing and method. Farmers who exchanged there land bank to the state government also got compensation in lieu of there land, Later they realized that the compensation was not enough and protest against the deal.

Damage to human life and public property was never like before; the entire state was gripped in the protest, series of allegations, and unrest. Finally the project couldn’t be kicked of, huge loss suffered by the company who intended to set up the factory, un-accountable loss to the state and people of state in terms of revenue and employment.

But lately who cares, should have been a prudent decision to derive to a pricing mechanism for the acquisition by the state government and land bankers, it could have proved a win-win proposition for all the parties.

Again one such headlines is making waves and occupying the front pages of national dalies; the land that has been acquired for setting up an eight lane express highway and business zone between Delhi and Agra. Farmers are protesting the deal demanding better compensation and allegations, that the land has been acquired without there consent, the unrest resulting in loss of public property and life.

Use of agricultural land for industrial purpose has been always a controversial issue in India; protest and unrest for such projects has already stalled projects in the country in turn hampering the growth of the country.

Growth is important but at the cost of what? What the farmers are supposed to do once they have made a settlement against there land? How many years the settlement money will last for? What the next generation of farmers will be doing ? Why agriculture is the easy scapegoat? Why the land prices are different when brought by Government and Locals? Lets address!!!