Advocacy & Reform for Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Spearheaded political campaign against forced land acquisition without farmer consent, resulting in the passage of the landmark LARR Act 2013 replacing the colonial 1894 law.
Background Context
The 1894 colonial law allowed the state to acquire private land under an 'urgency clause' without adequate compensation or local consent. Rising farmer distress across Uttar Pradesh and other states highlighted systemic vulnerabilities.
What Happened
Rahul Gandhi visited Bhatta Parsaul on a motorcycle in May 2011 to join protesting farmers, was detained by local police, and subsequently led a delegation of farmers to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to demand a mandatory consent framework.
Primary Source Evidence & Verified Outcomes
Independently Verified Facts:
- • The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act was passed by Parliament in September 2013.
- • The Act mandated compensation at 4x the market value in rural areas and 2x in urban areas.
- • It introduced mandatory Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and consent requirements of 70% to 80% of affected families.
Associated Primary Sources:
The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Publisher: Gazette of India, Ministry of Law and Justice
Statutory act passed by Parliament incorporating key farmer consent provisions and 4x market compensation clauses.
Digital Sansad Portal — Lok Sabha Official Debates & Hansard Record
Publisher: Parliament of India (Lok Sabha Secretariat)
Official verbatim transcripts, debate recordings, and voting records of the 14th to 18th Lok Sabha sessions.