Land Acquisition Act 2013 — Set 5

Correct Answer: B. The Administrator must prepare and publish the R&R scheme with entitlements for each affected family

Under the LARR Act 2013, once the preliminary notification is published, the Administrator for R&R must prepare a detailed Rehabilitation and Resettlement Scheme for each affected family within 6 months. The scheme must be published and affected families must be informed of their individual entitlements. A public hearing on the R&R scheme must also be conducted before finalization to ensure that all affected families are aware of and can contest their entitlements.

Correct Answer: B. Multi-disciplinary experts including social scientists, rehabilitation experts, and at least two non-officials

The SIA Expert Group under the LARR Act 2013 must be a multi-disciplinary body including experts in social science, rehabilitation, ecology, and relevant technical fields. Importantly, it must include at least two non-official experts and may include representatives of affected communities. This diverse composition prevents biased assessments and ensures that community interests are represented in the evaluation process.

Correct Answer: B. Second and Third Schedules

The Second Schedule of the LARR Act 2013 contains the list of infrastructure and amenities to be provided at resettlement sites (roads, water, schools, health centers), while the Third Schedule contains the detailed R&R entitlements for affected families (house, employment, annuity, rehabilitation grant). Together, these two schedules form the core of the R&R framework and provide legally enforceable minimum standards.

Correct Answer: B. To exempt five categories of projects from SIA and consent requirements

The Land Acquisition Ordinance of December 2014 (and re-promulgated in 2015) sought to amend the LARR Act 2013 to exempt five categories of projects — defense, rural infrastructure, affordable housing, industrial corridors, and infrastructure — from the Social Impact Assessment and consent requirements. The Ordinance lapsed because it could not be converted into law due to opposition from the Rajya Sabha and was not re-promulgated a third time.

Correct Answer: C. Consent requirements may be modified but compensation and R&R still apply

For linear infrastructure projects like roads, railways, and canals, the LARR Act 2013 provides some flexibility in consent requirements since linear projects may affect many different communities across their route. However, fair compensation (at 2x/4x market value) and the R&R package remain mandatory for all affected families. The Act does not exempt linear projects from compensation or rehabilitation obligations.

Correct Answer: B. Structures are assessed by a government engineer and trees by a forest officer; value added to compensation

Under the LARR Act 2013, when land with structures, buildings, and trees is acquired, the market value of buildings is assessed by a government engineer at replacement cost, and trees are valued by a forest officer. The value of these assets is added to the land compensation before applying the multiplier (2x urban or 4x rural). This comprehensive approach ensures that owners are compensated for all assets lost, not just the land.

Correct Answer: B. When the owner agrees to the compensation, the Collector can make a consent award without following the full determination process

Under Section 38 of the LARR Act 2013, if a land-owner and any other interested person consent to a compensation amount offered by the Collector, the Collector can make a 'consent award' on the agreed terms. This consent award bypasses the need for elaborate compensation determination proceedings. However, the consented amount must not be less than the minimum due under the Act, ensuring that landowners cannot be pressured into accepting inadequate compensation.

Correct Answer: B. Central government oversight body monitoring R&R implementation across states

The LARR Act 2013 provides for a National Monitoring Committee chaired by the Minister for Rural Development to monitor the implementation of R&R schemes, review cases of deviation, and issue guidelines to states. This Central-level oversight ensures national standards are maintained. Similarly, states are required to set up their own monitoring committees to track R&R implementation at the project level.

Correct Answer: C. Section 40

Section 40 of the LARR Act 2013 contains the urgency clause, which allows the appropriate government to take immediate possession of land required for defense, national security, or any sudden change requiring land acquisition in emergency situations. The urgency clause under the 2013 Act is much more restricted than under the 1894 Act — it can only be invoked by the President or Governor, not by lower-level officials as was the case earlier.

Correct Answer: B. Before SIA, a census of affected families must be published with name, asset, livelihood, and entitlement details

Section 4 of the LARR Act 2013 requires that as part of the Social Impact Assessment process, a complete enumeration (census) of all affected families be conducted and the details published. This includes names, landholding size, nature of occupation, and nature of impact. This transparency ensures that no affected family is excluded from the record and their entitlements can be independently verified and contested if incorrectly recorded.