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Compensation for acquired land is too low
What usually matters in this situation, and the papers to keep ready before you meet an advocate or free legal aid (call 15100).
Your situation
- At what stage is it? An award has been declared
Where you stand
- In your favour Compensation includes a solatium equal to the amount fixed, plus interest for delay.
Do these now
- Written application for reference / arbitration against the award
Short deadline after the award. Where: Collector’s office (or the arbitrator for highways).
Papers to gather
- All notifications and notices (preliminary, declaration, award)
Deadlines run from these dates. Where: Gazette, newspaper, notice served. - Title and revenue records of the land
Basis of compensation. Where: Revenue office. - The award and calculation sheet
Needed to seek enhancement. Where: Collector / LAO office. - Sale deeds of nearby land at higher prices
The strongest proof for higher compensation. Where: Sub-Registrar records. - Proof of trees, wells, buildings and crops on the land
These are compensated separately. Where: Photos, valuation, records.
You may also need, depending on your answers
- Proof of livelihood or residence on the land — Needed for rehabilitation entitlements.
What the law says
Most acquisitions follow the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013: a preliminary notification, objections, a declaration and an award by the Collector, with compensation based on market value multiplied by a factor, plus a 100% solatium and rehabilitation entitlements. If you do not accept the award, you can ask for a reference to the Land Acquisition Authority under Section 64 — generally within six weeks of the award if you were present, or within six months otherwise. National Highway acquisitions follow the National Highways Act, 1956, where compensation disputes go to an arbitrator. Some states buy land by consent under their own laws.
General information, not legal advice.
Saboot will also ask
- For what project?
- Did you lose a house or your livelihood?
Similar situations
- Government notice to take my land for a highway
- Land acquired but compensation not paid
- Losing my house and livelihood to a project
- Railway project taking my land
Sources
- Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
- National Highways Authority of India
- NALSA — free legal aid
The full guide: The government is taking my land — acquisition, compensation or rehabilitation · All situations