New Delhi: The government has asked coal PSUs to engage retired land acquisition officers or revenue officers from states to speed up the process of land acquisition for coal mines. In a official order released on April 7, the Ministry of Coal said, "After detailed discussions, it has been found that experience of retired Land Acquisition Officers/Revenue Officers of the States may prove beneficial to the Coal Companies in expediting the acquisition process."
"In view of the above, it is suggested that Government coal companies may engage retired Land Acquisition Officers/Revenue Officers of States as Consultant for acquisition of land under CBA Act, if required," said the ministry.
The Ministry of Coal said that the land acquisition process in coal-bearing areas takes considerable amount of time. "It would be beneficial to the land oustees as well as the Government companies to minimise the time taken in the entire acquisition process," said the government.
In a separate notification released on April 7, the Ministry of Coal said that the land acquired under the CBA Act grants absolute ownership of land to the coal PSU that has acquired it. "… it is established that the land acquired under the CBA Act and vested into the coal companies under S.11 of the said Act grants absolute ownership of land or the rights in or over the land, free from all encumbrances in the coal company," said the ministry.
"Further, in no case the company is to be treated as a 'tenant' by the State Govt or be directed to mutate the land records as a tenant or be required to make payments in form of rent/fee/charge/tax applicable on tenants since the government company is the absolute owner of such land," the ministry clarified.
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