Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had announced recently that government is mulling higher payment to farmers and is also contemplating equity for them.
"The Ministry has directed NHAI, NHIDCL and others to enhance compensation to farmers as per provisions of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, (RFCTLARR Act) 2013 in cases were award was fixed as per old law but compensation has not been paid to land owners.
In the event if the amount determined by the competent authority is not acceptable then on application of the parties it will be determined by the arbitrator. (Section 3G (5) NHA)
The NHA prescribes for issuance of intention notification for acquisition of land, decision on the objections if any from the affected persons that results in issuance of declaration notification. On issuance of declaration notification the land stands vested in the Central Government free from all encumbrances. After this the ‘competent authority’
adjudicates on the compensation aspect for the acquisition of land and other incidental damages. On the deposit of the compensation as per the award of the ‘competent authority’ the Central Government on giving notice to the affected persons can within a period of 60 days take possession of the land. In the event of any opposition to this activity the act empowers the authority to take help of the district administration in taking the possession of the land. In this manner acquisition of land is speedier but iniquitous.