The issue of the sale of large tracts of farm land by State governments—land obtained from farmers at rock bottom prices—to industrialists is not an issue bugging Karnataka alone. It’s playing out in Punjab and Haryana, too, where critics have questioned the use of the principle of “eminent domain” to gift thousands of acres on a platter to land-hungry investors. But, the West Bengal government seems to have hit upon an interesting formula which will make the land available for investors and yet protect the interests of farmers.
http://telegraphindia.com/1060701/asp/nation/story_6422231.asp
— SOS TO KP —
Hello KP…my friend tells me today is Kannada Media Day..this day,way back in 1853 was when an English man ( cant remember name) brought the first journal in Kannada from Mangalore
I dont see any posting on this by kannada media !! Can churrumuri celebrate or atleast remember this important day pls ?
ಚುರುಮುರಿ ಲ್ಲಿ “EnGLIsh Journalism’ ಮಾತ್ರಾ ಕಣ್ರೀ…….
ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಓದುಗರು ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಜನಕ್ಕೆ ಕನ್ನಡ ಬರೊಲ್ಲಾ…..
One side, all over the country, our politics are busy industrializing, SEZing, Road building, township building and they want 1000s of acres of wet and green land for the purpose.
On the other hand, we have a shortage of foodgrains and are resorting to import from Australia, etc.
Why is that every economist, social scientist worth his/her salt is silent on this ? Why are even the communists resorting to selling these lands ?
Is development only through trade and business ?
Prakash,
ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಕನ್ನಡವನ್ನು ಕೊಲ್ಲ ಬೇಡಿ!
It is elementary shekar! We are geographically a small country when compared to countries like Australia and America but population wise Australia’s population is less than Calcutta! Naturally to cater to so much population we need more industrializing, Road building, township building etc.
Any way, when you see so many farmers committing suicides and more and more villagers leaving their villages in search of work to cities, there appears to be a growing gulf among our villagers and farming. More and more youth in villages are wary of hard work and generally are lotus-eaters.
You can already see Indian Malls being glutted with imported fruits, Vegetables etc.
But coming back to the WB model, it is not very clear what is the benefit to original owner? The Govt. still acquires the land, except it may not transfer it to the Industrialists? Does it make any difference?
I feel the very concept of Eminent Domain is antithesis to Democracy and is hangover laws prevalent during monarchial systems. Law of eminent domain need a retook and it should have very stringent safeguards against misuse by the executive to benefit likes of Kheny/ BMIC.
It is heartening to note that while referring a matter to a nine-judge bench their lordships opined: (in 2002 and the matter is still undecided)
We have some difficulty in sharing the broad view that material resources of the community under Article 39(b) covers what is privately owned.
The question is not if land cannot be appropriated for development. Why not allow the people whose only asset and means to livelyhood (agricultural land), be given a fair share of the commercial value? That is the question.