(1.) Writ Petitions have been filed challenging:-
(2.) Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (hereinafter referred to as the "Old Act")was enacted for the acquisition of land needed for public purposes/companies and for determining the amount/quantum of compensation to be paid to the landowners on account of such acquisition. Over the years, it was found that the lands were indiscriminately acquired which resulted in drastic reduction of agricultural lands. Agriculturists were reduced to landless labourers. It was the grievance of the landless that there were no proper schemes for rehabilitation of persons, who were deprived of their land. Agriculturists were also aggrieved because their sole means of livelihood was lost, as a result of the acquisition for purposes which were admitted after a substantial lapse of time.
(3.) In the year 2003, National Policy on Resettlement and Rehabilitation was formulated and it was accepted that society should have a clear perception of the reason behind land acquisition, and the benefits that will flow from such acquisition. The adverse socio-economic and cultural impacts resulting from acquisition of land were also to be examined. This policy was replaced by the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy of 2007, which also directed State Governments to acquire land, keeping in mind the new rehabilitation policy.