Public Works Department preliminary land acquisition notifications, September 24, 2020

What this gazette does

Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Extraordinary No. 395, Part II, Section 2, dated September 24, 2020, carries two preliminary notifications from the Public Works Department for land acquisition under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

These notifications identify specific lands as under acquisition for water and irrigation projects, and they trigger immediate restrictions on transactions involving those lands.

Project in Krishnagiri District

Notification No. II(2)/PWD/616(d-1)/2020 covers land in Parandapalli Village, Pochampalli Taluk, Krishnagiri District.

Key points:

• Total land notified is 1.48.60 hectares of dry land.
• The purpose is irrigation, namely excavation of a new supply canal from Barur Tank East main canal to feed 33 tanks in Pochampalli and Uthangarai Taluks in Krishnagiri District.
• The notification says an Environmental Impact Assessment study for the irrigation project was carried out by M/s Life Shell Labs India Private Limited.
• Because that study was carried out, the notification says Social Impact Assessment shall not apply.
• The notification states that no family will be displaced due to the land acquisition.
• The Revenue Divisional Officer, Krishnagiri is appointed as Administrator for Rehabilitation and Resettlement.
• The schedule lists the affected survey numbers, sub-divisions, extent, boundaries, trees, registered holders and interested persons.

Project in Salem District

Notification No. II(2)/PWD/616(d-2)/2020 covers land in Chinnakalrayanmalai Therkku Nadu Village, Kaikanvalavu Area, Pethanaickenpalayam Taluk, Salem District.

Key points:

• The notification refers to 4.566 acre of land for the project, and states that land measuring 4 Acre 53 1/2 Cents is under acquisition.
• The purpose is diverting the surplus water of the Kattaru to the Kariakoil Reservoir.
• The notification states there is no residence or trees in the land acquisition area, and therefore Environmental Impact Assessment does not arise.
• The notification says Social Impact Assessment shall not apply.
• The notification states that no family will be displaced due to the land acquisition.
• The schedule gives the affected survey details, extent, structures, trees and landowners.

What landowners and buyers should note

For both notifications:

• Plans of the land may be inspected in the offices of the Collector and Land Acquisition Officer during working hours. For the Krishnagiri notification, inspection is specifically at the office of the Collector, Krishnagiri and the Land Acquisition Officer, Revenue Divisional Officer, Krishnagiri.
• The Government authorizes the Executive Engineer of the Water Resources Department and staff to enter the land, survey it, take levels, and dig or bore into the sub-soil for the work.
• From the date of publication in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, no sale, purchase or other transaction, and no encumbrance, can be made over the notified land without prior approval of the Collector.
• Any person interested may file objections before the Collector within 60 days from the date of publication in the Gazette.