V.G. Ramachandran's The Law of Land Acquisition and Compensation

This section-wise commentary on the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 is intended to serve as a comprehensive research and practical reference.

A distinct Corresponding Law and Case-Law Reference is provided after each section wherever the provision has its origin in, corresponds to, or substantially relates to a provision of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. This enables the reader to trace the development of land acquisition law from the 1894 regime to the 2013 framework and to appreciate the changes introduced in relation to acquisition procedure, compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement. Special attention is given to Section 24 of the 2013 Act, which governs certain proceedings initiated under the 1894 Act, including proceedings in which an award has or has not been made and the statutory requirements concerning lapse.

The case-law portion incorporates both pre-2013 decisions under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, insofar as they continue to assist in understanding corresponding concepts in the new 2013 Act, and post-2013 decisions interpreting the new statutory framework. Where an earlier principle has been modified, displaced, or rendered inapplicable by the 2013 Act or subsequent judicial interpretation, the position is specifically indicated.

Key Features:

• Section-wise commentary on the entire Act, including the First to Fourth Schedules.
• Object, legislative intent, and scope of each important provision.
• Definitions and important expressions used in the Act.
• Corresponding provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, identifying the earlier statutory provisions corresponding to the relevant provisions of the 2013 Act, wherever applicable.
• Comparative analysis of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and the 2013 Act, particularly with respect to notification, objections, declaration, award, compensation, possession, reference and payment.
• Transitional provisions and saved proceedings, with particular attention to Section 24 of the 2013 Act and the effect of repeal under Section 114.
• Detailed procedure for land acquisition, covering each stage from Social Impact As-sessment and preliminary notification through declaration, determination and payment of compensation, possession, and rehabilitation and resettlement.
• Compensation and rehabilitation provisions, including the First, Second and Third Schedules.
• Case laws arranged section-wise, setting out the case name, citation, relevant provision, issue involved, decision or ratio decidendi, and practical significance.
• Tables of cases accompanied by a detailed subject index.

This comparative and case-law-oriented approach is intended to make the commentary a useful reference for legal practitioners, Judges, affected families, acquiring authorities, researchers, and administrators dealing with legacy acquisitions as well as proceedings governed by the 2013 Act.

Table of Cases
1. Preliminary
2. Determination of Social Impact and Public Purpose
3. Special Provision to Safeguard Food Security
4. Notification and Acquisition
5. Rehabilitation and Resettlement Award
6. Procedure and Manner of Rehabilitation and Resettlement
7. National Monitoring Committee for Rehabilitation and Resettlement
8. Establishment of Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Authority
9. Apportionment of Compensation
10. Payment
11. Temporary Occupation of Land
12. Offences and Penalties
13. Miscellaneous
Subject Index