Land can be acquired for public purpose only

Land can be acquired for public purpose only

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, August 25, 2011: The Citizens’ Forum and SDM Law College organized a workshop on the Land Acquisition Bill 2011 at SDM College Auditorium today.

Natesh Ullal of Citizens’ Forum said on the occasion that several families have lost their lands because of land acquisition. The KAIDB has acquired land from people who were dead against industrial projects and spared the land of those who were for the projects.

 

Further, he said that, while several people have lost their land, some of them have taken it as an opportunity to grab as many benefits as possible. The private companies have even signed deals with the youth of land-owing families and taken away their land by promising to give them jobs.

Cliffton D. Rosario, a lawyer and activist from Bangalore, was the chief guest of the occasion. He said that a large number of people from all over India raised their voices against land acquiring companies. Many people also questioned the right given to the government to acquire their personal land.

Speaking about the rehabilitation statue in state law, he said that it has not been implemented so far and that people do not even know about it. He also urged people to think over the adverse effects of giving away agricultural land for industrial purposes although the government is acquiring land for private companies.

Stating that the government has the right to acquire land only for public purposes, he said that land can be acquired only if it is to be used for defense, infrastructure, and rehabilitation, not to be sold later to private companies.

Criticizing the Sonia Gandhi led National Advisory Council Board, he said that she advised governments not to mention public purpose, but try to convince people to part with their land.

Vidya Dinkar and other social activists were present at the workshop.