Question : Setting up of Industries on Agricultural Land

(a) whether the Government proposes to prescribe a time-limit for setting up of industries on such agriculture lands which have been acquired but are lying vacant for a long time;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to transfer such land to the farmers in case the land is not utilised for industrial purposes under the prescribed time-limit;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the norms prescribed by the Government regarding allotment of barren agriculture land for industrial purposes so as to ensure the industrial development of the country without disturbing the regional balance?

(a)to(e): Land and its management falls under the legislative and administrative jurisdiction of the States (as provided in Entry No. 18 of List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution). Setting up of industries on agricultural land is done by the concerned State Governments/UT Administrations. The information regarding the same is not being maintained at the Central level.

The Central Government has enacted the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement Act, 2013, which came into force on 01.01.2014, under which land can be acquired for public purpose which inter-alia includes projects for industrial corridors. Section 10 of the Act stipulates that multi-cropped irrigated land shall not be acquired other than under exceptional circumstances as a demonstrable last resort.

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