New pool plan: Crop aid and 25% developed land

Ghaziabad: The state govt has sought to amend its land-pooling policy that was introduced in 2019, hoping to goad more farmers into selling plots for development projects.Officials said the govt had sought suggestions from development authorities across the state on whether the proposed changes to the policy would help clear hurdles in land acquisition. According to sources in the govt, around 350 key projects in the state are stuck over land disputes.

“Hurdles in the acquisition process are not only an expensive proposition, but are cumbersome and time-consuming too,” a Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) official said. “Although the land-pooling policy was introduced five years ago, it failed to elicit effective results. So, the govt has planned to relax certain norms now. The proposals have been sent to various development authorities for incorporating suggestions before they are implemented.” The govt has proposed that the minimum land required for the pooling policy to take effect be reduced from 25 acres in 2019 to 10 acres now. The width of approach roads to such land parcels would also depend on the total size.“For instance, if pooling is done for plots measuring 10-25 acres, the width of the road should be 12m. If the total land parcel is more than 25 acres, the approach road should be 18m wide. We are going through the govt’s proposals and will share our suggestions soon,” the official said.When the pooling policy came into effect in 2019, the govt brought down the consent bar for farmers from 80% to 60%. So, acquisition could start once 60% farmers said yes to the process.But what about the land for which consent has not been given? “According to the proposals, that land will be acquired under provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013. These farmers will be entitled to a higher compensation,” the official said.But those who choose to part with their land will get certain benefits under the proposed changes.For instance, such farmers will get crop compensation at the rate of Rs 5,000 an acre for five years. The local authorities also develop 25% of such land with basic amenities such as roads, drains, parks, lights, hospitals, schools and so on.“The owners of land who seek higher compensation will not be entitled to any of these benefits under the pool policy,” the official said. The amendments are also aimed at augmenting revenue for local authorities, which can sell or auction 75% of the developed land. “It’s a win-win situation for all,” the GDA official said.
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