Land Acquisition Act 2013 — Set 3

Correct Answer: C. If land is not used within specified period, it must be returned to original owner or offered to land bank

Section 101 of the LARR Act 2013 provides that if any acquired land remains unutilized for 5 years or the project period (whichever is less), the land must be returned to the original owner or their heirs, or alternatively transferred to the State Government Land Bank. This provision prevents land hoarding by government agencies and private companies and ensures land is used for the stated purpose.

Correct Answer: B. Monthly annuity of Rs 2,000 per month for 20 years (inflation adjusted)

The LARR Act 2013 provides that each affected family is entitled to an annuity of Rs 2,000 per month for 20 years, adjusted for inflation, as part of the Rehabilitation and Resettlement package. This is in addition to the land compensation. The annuity option is an alternative to employment for one family member. This provision ensures long-term livelihood security for displaced families.

Correct Answer: B. A constructed house of 50 sq m in urban areas or a house as per IAY specification in rural areas

The LARR Act 2013 mandates provision of a constructed house to each displaced family — 50 sq m plinth area in urban areas and a house built as per Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) specifications in rural areas. This housing entitlement is part of the mandatory R&R package and applies regardless of whether the displaced family owned a house previously. It ensures basic shelter for displaced communities.

Correct Answer: C. Freezing of the area to prevent speculative transactions

Once the preliminary notification under Section 11 is published, it freezes the affected area — no new construction, transaction, or change of use is permitted without the Collector's sanction. This prevents landowners from artificially increasing the compensation value by building new structures or selling land at inflated prices after learning of the acquisition. The freeze continues until the final award is made.

Correct Answer: B. Landless persons are entitled to R&R benefits including house plot or constructed house

The LARR Act 2013 extends R&R benefits even to landless persons whose primary livelihood depends on the acquired land, such as agricultural laborers and artisans. They are entitled to a house (if they don't own one), a one-time rehabilitation grant, and employment preference in the project. This inclusive approach addresses the needs of the most vulnerable sections of the displaced community.

Correct Answer: A. Section 4

Section 4 of the LARR Act 2013 deals with the Social Impact Assessment (SIA), which is the first step in the land acquisition process. The SIA study must be completed within 6 months, and it must assess the number of affected families, nature of public purpose, whether the extent of land is minimum necessary, and the social impacts including loss of livelihoods. The SIA is mandatory for all acquisitions except those under urgency and exempted categories.

Correct Answer: B. To independently evaluate whether the acquisition serves public purpose and minimize social impact

The SIA Expert Group under the LARR Act 2013 is an independent multi-disciplinary committee that evaluates the SIA report and recommends whether the acquisition should proceed. The group includes experts in social sciences, rehabilitation, administration, and technical fields. If the Expert Group finds the SIA inadequate or the acquisition unjustified, it can recommend rejection or modification, providing an important check on arbitrary acquisitions.

Correct Answer: B. Defined categories including defense, infrastructure, and government projects benefiting the public

Under the LARR Act 2013, land can only be acquired for 'public purpose' which is defined in Section 2(1) to include defense, infrastructure like railways and roads, affordable housing, government hospitals, educational institutions, and projects for the poor and marginalized. The definition is more restrictive than the 1894 Act to prevent misuse. Private companies must demonstrate a clear public purpose nexus to acquire land.

Correct Answer: B. Land must be provided from within the same scheduled area; displacement outside the area requires special justification

The LARR Act 2013 provides special protections to SC/ST communities. If SC/ST families are displaced from a Scheduled Area, they must be resettled in an area with equivalent or similar tribal culture, preferably within the same district or state. Additionally, land must be made available in the resettlement area as part of R&R. The Act recognizes that displacement of tribal communities from their ancestral lands has profound cultural consequences.

Correct Answer: B. Acquisition of multi-crop irrigated land requires equivalent agricultural land to be developed

Section 10 of the LARR Act 2013 restricts acquisition of multi-crop irrigated land and requires that whenever such land is acquired under exceptional circumstances, the state government must ensure development of an equivalent area of wasteland for agricultural use. This provision aims to safeguard food production capacity of the nation. The state must report to the central government on the land converted to agriculture as compensation.