Shift to Central land acquisition system for higher compensation and greater transparency mooted
The Zunheboto District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) has opened discussions on a major policy shift that could change how land is acquired for National Highways projects in Nagaland. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Dharam Raj, IAS, at the DC’s Conference Hall on Thursday, focused on the possible adoption of the amended National Highways Act, 1956 (amended in 2017), which came into force on August 1, 2017.
According to a DIPR report, the deliberation on the adoption of the National Highways Act was the major agenda discussed in the meeting. The proposal seeks to allow the Central Government to acquire land directly for National Highway projects in Nagaland, replacing the existing system where the State Government carries out acquisitions under Article 371(A). According to the Deputy Commissioner, the amended Act provides up to four times higher compensation to landowners and is designed to promote greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
“To facilitate this, the Deputy Commissioner invited discussions with tribal bodies to reach a consensus before forwarding the matter to the concerned authorities,” the DIPR report said.
During the discussion, members weighed the potential benefits of adopting the Act against the challenges of implementation.
The members discussed both the merits and demerits of the proposal, highlighting the importance of promoting transparency and efficiency in land acquisition, increasing compensation rates for landowners, and ensuring faster and more effective construction of National Highways.
The Board, however, acknowledged the importance of extensive consultation with tribal bodies and local stakeholders before any formal decision is made. “The Board also emphasized the need for proper awareness campaigns to educate the public about the provisions of the new Act,” the DIPR report said.
The Deputy Commissioner said that the purpose of the discussion was to educate and sensitize the people on the importance of embracing change for progress and development. He urged everyone to adopt a positive mindset towards new reforms that aim to benefit society as a whole.
The meeting also reviewed other district updates, including the successful conduct of the Inter-Departmental Tournament and the correction of the spelling of “Sütsa,” as approved by the Sumi Literature Board.
