UP govt simplifies land acquisition norms

Lucknow, Aug 11 (UNI) To bolster developmental projects getting delayed due to sloppy land acquisition process, the Uttar Pradesh government today simplified and converted the system into time-bound one.

According to the decision of UP cabinet meeting chaired by chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav here, the state revenue department has fixed 12-15 months' time to complete land acquisition, which takes around 2-3 yrs to complete the formalities at present.

People whose land would be acquired, would be paid within six months of the acquisition and officials violating the process would be punished accordingly.

State Chief Secretary Naveen Chandra Bajpai said now the district magistrates concerned would be given three months time to complete formalities of land acquisition, while officials of state heqdquarters would be given one month time to complete process of handing over the land to the concerned department.

''If there are other obstructions, then two months time would be alloted in special cases,'' he informed.

As per the new process, the DMs have been given power to decide on 50 acres of land to be acquired. For 50 acres and above, the power has been delegated to divisional commissioners.

In another decision, UP decided to amend the UP Money Lending Regulation Act, 1976 by raising the validity of registration from one to 10 years, financial year to be fixed from April to March and registration to be made within 60 days of submitting the application.

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