LAND ACQUISITION

Land acquisition for public purposes is a continuous administrative process governed primarily by the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The responsibility for initiating and processing acquisition proposals lies with the Additional District Magistrates (ADMs) and Collectors, who function as Land Acquisition (LA) Collectors. Proposals must be submitted in complete form, including the requisition from the requiring department, detailed land schedules, and proof of fund placement. These are examined by the Revenue Department, which then issues a notification under Section 4 of the Act, indicating the intent to acquire the land. After the statutory period for objections expires, a declaration under Section 6 is issued to confirm the acquisition. Both notifications must be published in newspapers to ensure public awareness. The acquisition process concludes only after all procedural requirements are fulfilled, including the award of compensation to landowners and formal transfer of land to the requiring department. Subsequently, land records must be updated, and land revenue obligations abated.

For acquisitions exceeding 15 acres in a single notification, the prior approval of the State Government is mandatory before issuing an award. For areas up to 15 acres, the approval of the concerned District Magistrate and Collector suffices. Recognizing a rise in small-scale acquisitions, the government issued guidelines (vide No. F.30(13)-REV/ACQ/09 dated 05/01/2010) encouraging the purchase of land less than 2 acres through a Purchase Committee chaired by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, ensuring quicker resolution and negotiation-based settlement. Importantly, no proposal will be entertained if the requiring department has taken possession of the land before completing the legal process. This is to ensure compliance with due procedure and protect landowners’ rights. Strict adherence to these protocols is essential for transparency, legality, and fairness in public land acquisitions.

Link: Land Acquistion Special Form 1,2 & 3