Friday, 12 June 2015

LAND ACQUISITION AND FATE OF FARMERS


BY APURVA RAI


FOR a long time there has been a raging debate on Land Acquisition Bill. Earlier it was the UPA, under command of the Congress Party, that wanted to bring changes through land reforms and now it is the NDA government, under BJP command that wants to bring Land Acquisition Bill.

Whatever the government-- either dominated by the Congress or by the BJP, each wants to bring changes in land bill saying they are working in the benefit of farmers. If every government is working for the benefit of farmers then why are they still poor, neglected, dependent and living on the mercy of others? It is sad that almost every party politicises the issue and every politician wants to bargain a vote in the name of farmers of the country. It is, indeed, a sorry story.


I wish to talk about the farmers only as I believe that all politicians are standing on the same platform and are just another side of the same coin. I feel ashamed of the politicians that when in power they seem to be talking and working in the benefit of farmers and the moment they are out of power they are seen opposing the ruling government and use farmers to prove their point. However, the only community that loses every time is that of farmers as neither the ruling government does anything nor the opposition comes up with positive ideas or support.



No doubt the farmers of India are poor and ironically this financially poor community is feeding the entire nation including those who are rich, prosperous and powerful. Farmers of India are the ones who work day and night to reap rich harvests so that the rich can eat to their contentment. What is even more tragic is that the rich want to buy the land of these farmers and use this land to reap bigger profits by doing anything other than harvesting. Does it all not sound strange?


I would have felt happier had the government framed such laws on land acquisition that would have helped the farmers besides giving a boost to the agriculture of the country. The governments are keen to bring land reforms or pass land acquisition bill but nobody is crystal clear on the way acquisitions will be made. Unclear and complex bye-laws and hidden ideas behind the rules have only added fire to the fuel.


I see only two-types of land-- one that can be harvested and the other that is totally infertile. It is not difficult to classify these two categories as well. Then what is the problem in defining the land acquisition bill?


While talking of infertile land there can be clear strategy that how it shall be used-- either by establishing large factories for defence, aviation or other sector or using it for commercial purpose like raising a hotel, housing society, hospitals for senior citizens or children and so on.

As far as fertile land is concerned the government will have to come up with clear strategy and schemes to boost farming activity. Agriculture has been grossly neglected and nothing concrete has been done to help the farmers. this is perhaps the major reason why many farmers are running away from villages and have become unskilled or skilled labours in metropolitan cities where large-scale construction activity is in progress for the 'welfare of wealthy' citizens of India.

If the government comes up with the idea that only infertile land will be purchased with enough financial compensation, rehabilitation and other help to the owner I don't thing there will be much of protest.



Now comes up the question of fertile land. I feel there would be least protest if the land is leased to corporates who may use the land only for farming activity. The farmers can be given good lease rent and share in harvest. With lease contract the farmer will remain the owner of his land, get financial benefits and share in yield besides getting employment as farmer for which he specialises. On the hand the corporates will invest money in buying seeds, fertilisers, hiring agriculture specialists and bring in all tools and equipment that is necessary to yield rich harvest. Since the farmer will have nothing to invest from his pocket he does not stand to lose anything and he continues to remain owner of the land as well.

So far we have only known industrialists but a now it is very important to rope in richer people and develop a new class to be known as Agriculturinsts. The agriculturists will in the long run come as saviours to the farmers of the country.

Land acquisition for the benefit of farmers will hardly face protest from rural India and that is what is my Second Opinion.

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NOTE

To read another related article please copy/paste the given link.

1) Will Onion Ever Make a Farmer Smile?

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2015/09/will-onion-ever-make-farmer-smile.html