MACMILLAN The Political Economy of Land Acquisition in India: How a Village Stops Being One

This book examines key issues concerning land acquisition, and puts forward policy suggestions. Land acquisition is one of the most important issues besetting India’s political economy today. There have been many conflicts surrounding acquisitions; but there have been ample peaceful acquisitions, too. Growth in any economy requires more land.  Hence in India too, in the future more and more land will be required for the purposes of infrastructure expansion, industrialization, urbanization etc. The book also examines a number of broader policy issues in the context of land reforms and shows how a successful resolution of the land acquisition matter is vital to attaining a high rate of growth. Using a case study method, the book examines the process of land acquisition in detail and its implications for farmers. It finds that the development of acquired land leads to higher growth and higher employment; and it also leads to improvements for the dalits (the backward class people). Benefits in terms of higher revenues for the government are also observed. It argues that, if the acquisition process is properly executed, those farmers who lose land will not oppose acquisition but will instead become partners in the process of growth. Review “Land acquisition has become a very sensitive and highly politicised issue in the recent past when the government started acquiring land unabated. This study deliberates perceptively on this current & volatile issue in the context of rural India. The study takes this issue for a discussion at micro level providing a strong support from the broader theoretical discussions. Weaving of the micro level nuances to bring out a solid framework utilizable for policy, makes the study very interesting.” (Professor R. S. Deshpande is Former Director,  Institute of Social and Economic Change, Banglore and currently Director CDS @ PES University Bangalore) “While most studies focus on the increase in industrial investment, exports and employment possible from land acquisition, this fascinating study examines land acquisition from the farmer’s standpoint, and impact on village economy and life. It argues that the farmer also aspires for the benefits of development, if an ‘acceptable compensation’ package is available. Well-researched, in an era of change, it provides a rare micro-view of the painful transition from rural to urban life.” (Sudha Pai is Former Professor, Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University,and currently National Fellow, Indian Council of Social Science Research) From the Back Cover This book examines key issues concerning land acquisition, and puts forward policy suggestions. Land acquisition is one of the most important issues besetting India’s political economy today. There have been many conflicts surrounding acquisitions; but there have been ample peaceful acquisitions, too. Growth in any economy requires more land.  Hence in India too, in the future more and more land will be required for the purposes of infrastructure expansion, industrialization, urbanization etc. The book also examines a number of broader policy issues in the context of land reforms and shows how a successful resolution of the land acquisition matter is vital to attaining a high rate of growth. Using a case study method, the book examines the process of land acquisition in detail and its implications for farmers. It finds that the development of acquired land leads to higher growth and higher employment; and it also leads to improvements for the dalits (the backward class people). Benefits in terms of higher revenues for the government are also observed. It argues that, if the acquisition process is properly executed, those farmers who lose land will not oppose acquisition but will instead become partners in the process of growth. About the Author Dhanmanjiri Sathe is Professor at the Savitribai Phule Pune University, Maharashtra, Ind