NT NETWORK
PANAJI
The state government, on Tuesday, notified its policy on procurement of land under Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 for direct procurement of land to set up public purpose projects on a priority basis.
Citing the need for land to carry out development work in the state, including improvement in communications, transportation, technology, public health, education and justice delivery system, the government has come up with the land acquisition policy.
Though the government will purchase the land from its owner at market value, the policy has envisaged additional benefits to the owner.
The market value of land to be procured will be determined by the Land Rates notified under Stamp Act as in force in the state under sub-rule (3) of Rule 4 of the Goa Stamp (Determination of True Market Value of Property) Rules, 2003.
The owner will be entitled for compensation, calculated and multiplied by 2 in case of rural areas and 1 for urban areas. An additional amount to the tune of 100 per cent will be given to the landowner.
In addition, an amount equivalent to 12 per cent of market value as arrived under the rules will be considered and included in the consideration. As a factor of policy remuneration, an additional amount equivalent to 1 per cent will be given to the landowner.
The owner will also benefit if there exist structures in the land to be procured, and the valuation will be in the consideration.
Similarly, if the land has standing crops or trees, the valuation of such agricultural produce will be assessed and included in the consideration. Valuation of structures will be carried out by the public works department and that of the agriculture by the directorate of agriculture or forest department.
It is further stated that if a house is lost for procuring any land, a constructed house shall be provided by the department to the affected families. And, the size of the house will be equal to the house lost by the families and shall be made available in the close vicinity or within a radius of 1 to 5 kilometers from the land procured.
The government will also pay subsistence allowance at the rate of Rs 3,000 per month for a period of one year from the displacement date.
In addition to this amount, if those displaced from the acquired areas belong to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, they will be eligible to receive an additional one-time amount equivalent to Rs 50,000.
The affected family will also be entitled for a one-time payment of Rs 5 lakh as displacement compensation remitting due to loss of employment which was locally availed.
The family will also receive a transportation allowance of Rs 50,000 to meet the cost of movement and transport.
If the affected family has been having cattle shed or petty shops, the family will be eligible to avail one-time financial assistance of Rs 25,000.
And, if an artisan or small trader amongst others as defined and identified by the government, is affected or displaced, the person shall receive a one-time grant of Rs 50,000.
Further, a one-time resettlement allowance of Rs 50,000 shall be payable to the affected displaced family, after shifting of household to the new house.
However, for all land acquisition deals, the government will obtain consent letter from the owner of the land in the prescribed format. It is mandatory on the team appointed by the government to explain the consent letter to the owner of the land in the language known to the person.
For the purpose, government shall form a team with an officer of Deputy Collector rank as the leader and the team comprising of zonal agricultural officer, town planner, ISLR, responsible middle level officer of the concerned department, BDO or chief officers as the case may be.
For all purposes of land acquisition, any government department requiring land for public purposes will request to the Collector. On receiving the consent and the report from the team, the Collector will submit the report to the revenue department.
The revenue department then will draft sale deed vetted by law department and on administrative approval and finance concurrence place the matter before the council of ministers for the cabinet approval.
On approval of government, the sale deed shall be executed and registered by the Collector. Being a requirement for government purpose, the said sale deed shall be exempted from payment stamp duty and registration fees.