Problems of industrial and infrastructure development, as also the problems relating to food security would have been easily resolved by following the Japanese model, and allowing Indian farmers a price for their produce that is attractive. The ideal solution lies in allowing farmers to continue unhindered in agricultural cultivation, if they so wish, but also permitting them the full liberty to dispose of their land  like the freedom that was given to the textile mill owners of Mumbai after the mills went bankrupt, permitting them to dispose of their land to any person, at any time, and at a price that suited them. Jairam Ramesh's magnanimity in stipulating that multi-cropped irrigated lands will not be acquired under any circumstances like saying that invading marauders should not take away your prettier daughters, only the less attractive ones.

Jairam Ramesh has honestly admitted that, so far, in most cases R&R has not kept pace with acquisition. In many cases, the time gap has exceeded several decades. He would do well to start from scratch and examine the genesis of the problem caused by the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, and the tinkering that was done to it, particularly at the time of introduction of Schedule IX to the Constitution.

The writer is the founder of the Shetkari Sanghatana. He is based in Pune

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