Indian court wants land for real estate to be returned to farmers

Oct 21, 2011, 9:22 GMT

New Delhi - An Indian court Friday cancelled the acquisition of farmland by the government in three villages in the capital's suburbs and ordered the land to be returned to the farmers.

Farmers in the villages located in Noida in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh had petitioned Allahabad High Court, claiming their land was acquired at low prices by the government and sold to real estate developers who were making huge profits.

The land was taken by the Uttar Pradesh government under a clause in the century-old Land Acquisition Act that allows the state to acquire private land for industrial development.

The court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to return land to farmers in three villages, IANS news agency reported. Farmers who had already taken compensation could return it and reclaim their land.

In 60 other villages where construction by real estate developers had already taken place, they would be given 10 per cent of the land and also be offered a 64-per-cent increase in compensation.

The court's decision came as a blow to real estate developers and home buyers who had agreed to buy flats in the area. Construction had begun on several apartment complexes on the acquired land.

Farmers leaders welcomed the decision, saying it was a victory for farmers whose livelihoods were taken away by government agencies.

'The High Court has delivered justice to innocent farmers. The farmers were fighting for their rights for 15 years,' farmer leader Satya Pal Chaudhary was quoted as saying.

Protests over the acquisition of farmland for industry, housing and infrastructure have become widespread in India as it tries to balance its rapid economic growth with the interests of the over 70 per cent of the population that make a living from agriculture and allied activities.

The government recently introduced a new land acquisition bill in parliament that would offer better compensation.