Land Acquisition Act 2013 — Set 2

Correct Answer: C. Defense and national security projects

Defense, national security, railways, highways, and other specified strategic projects are exempt from the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and consent requirements under LARR Act 2013. The Act provides a list of exempted purposes in its First Schedule where urgency clause can be applied. This exemption is intended to prevent delays in critical national infrastructure projects.

Correct Answer: A. Emergency provision allowing faster acquisition for defense and national security, bypassing some procedural steps

The Urgency Clause under Section 40 of the LARR Act 2013 allows the government to acquire land quickly for defense, national security, and other specified emergency purposes by bypassing the SIA and consent requirements. The 2013 Act significantly restricted the use of the urgency clause compared to the 1894 Act, which had been widely misused. Under the 2013 Act, only the President or Governor can invoke urgency provisions.

Correct Answer: C. Acquisition of multi-crop land is restricted and requires special justification

The LARR Act 2013 places significant restrictions on acquisition of multi-crop irrigated agricultural land to protect food security. Section 10 requires that acquisition of such land must be justified by extraordinary circumstances and the state government must ensure equivalent wasteland is developed as agricultural land. The Act restricts such acquisition to the minimum required and mandates special justification.

Correct Answer: B. Housing, employment or annuity, land for landless, and social security

The R&R package under LARR Act 2013 is comprehensive and includes provision of a house to each displaced family, employment of one person per family in the project or annuity of Rs 2,000 per month for 20 years, land for landless families, fishing rights if displaced from water bodies, and access to social infrastructure. The package is significantly more generous than what was available under the old 1894 Act.

Correct Answer: B. Any person whose land, property, or livelihood is adversely affected by the acquisition

Under the LARR Act 2013, an 'Affected Person' includes not just the registered landowner but also those whose livelihood is primarily dependent on the land, including tenants, share-croppers, agricultural laborers, and artisans. This broad definition ensures that even landless persons who depend on the land for their livelihood receive R&R benefits. The Act specifically includes families owning less than 5 acres who have worked on the land for three years.

Correct Answer: B. The Collector is authorized to determine compensation, oversee the acquisition process, and ensure R&R compliance

Under the LARR Act 2013, the District Collector plays a central role: issuing notices, conducting hearings on objections, determining the market value and compensation payable, coordinating with relevant authorities for R&R, and ensuring that all procedural requirements are fulfilled. Section 26 empowers the Collector to determine compensation based on the registered sale price or the Collector's circle rate, whichever is higher. The Collector must also submit a Social Impact Assessment Report.

Correct Answer: D. 12 months

Under the LARR Act 2013, the government must publish the preliminary notification under Section 11 within 12 months of the completion of the Social Impact Assessment report. If the notification is not published within this period, the SIA becomes invalid and must be conducted afresh. This time limit ensures that the government acts promptly based on fresh social impact data.

Correct Answer: C. 2 years

Under the LARR Act 2013, the Collector must make the award (determination of compensation) within 2 years from the date of publication of the declaration under Section 19. If the award is not made within this period, the entire acquisition proceedings lapse and must be restarted. This strict timeline was introduced to prevent indefinite delays that were common under the old 1894 Act.

Correct Answer: C. Rajasthan

Rajasthan was among the first states to amend the LARR Act 2013 through state-level amendments in 2014-15, diluting the consent and SIA provisions to ease land acquisition for industrial and infrastructure development. Several other states including Telangana and Gujarat followed with their own amendments. These state amendments were challenged as being contrary to the progressive spirit of the Central Act.

Correct Answer: B. Gram Sabha consent is mandatory before any acquisition in scheduled areas

The LARR Act 2013 requires that prior consultation with the Gram Sabha (village assembly) is mandatory before acquiring land in Fifth Schedule (tribal) areas. This provision is consistent with the PESA Act 1996 and recognizes the special rights of tribal communities over their land. The Gram Sabha's role is to protect tribal communities from displacement and ensure that their interests are considered before any acquisition.