The proposed changes to the land acquisition law by the Telangana Government have attracted sharp criticism from non-governmental organisations working for the rights of farmers and Dalits.

Representatives of Bhumi Upadhi Hakkula Vedika, Dalit Bahujan Front (DBF) and Rythu Swarajya Vedika (RSV) have said that some of the proposed changes could hurt the interests of the displaced farmers and other people living in the land in question.

The Telangana Government has released a draft Rules for Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, seeking to make it easier for private companies acquiring land.

The NGOs have told T Harish Rao, Irrigation Minister and a member of Group of Ministers on the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, that several provisions in the draft dilute the Act and that they need to be changed.

“This fixation of limit up to 2,000 acres of land for application of Rehabilitation and Resettlement provisions in case of private companies is a total violation of the spirit of the Act,” they said in a memorandum to the Minister.

Acquisition of 2,000 acres of land at one place and putting the same to non-agriculture use or change from its present use causes adverse impact on the livelihoods of several thousands of families in the area, the memorandum said.

“Part of the profits or value addition that accrues from such land use diversion and conversion to the Government as well as to the private company shall be used to rehabilitate the affected families as per the provisions of the Act as well as under the principle of equity and justice,” it said.

They found fault with the Government for publishing the draft in English and not in Telugu.

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