Narendra Modi Andhra capitalUnion Cabinet has passed the ordinance of amendments to the crucial land acquisition act. While not altering any compensation terms, the procedure for acquiring land for these projects will be easier by omitting steps like social impact assessment, impact on food security, and consent of 80 per cent land owners etc. This is a big boon in disguise for Andhra Pradesh which is undertaking massive land acquisition for the new capital.

AP’s Capital is coming at a place where there are abundant farm lands which will violate the food security clause if the land acquisition act is unleashed. Also there are few villages where the government can not get the consent of 80% land owners due to the close proximity to Krishna river. With the relaxation of these clauses, the state can now even go for the land acquisition. The current act do not allow land acquisition in lands which produce multiple crops in an year which is now relaxed.

Chandrababu Naidu’s government opted to go for land pooling instead of land acquisition due to the litigation of this particular act. Omitting these clauses will mean that Andhra Pradesh government can unleash the land acquisition act on those villages who are not ready for land pooling if necessary.