The Maharashtra government has decided to grant Project-Affected Person (PAP) certificates to farmers, landowners and their legal heirs who voluntarily gave land through private negotiations for public projects, bringing them on a par with those whose land was acquired under the Land Acquisition Act. The move makes them eligible for rehabilitation benefits, including reservations in government jobs and educational institutions, wherever applicable, and is expected to remove a long-standing disparity while encouraging voluntary land transfers for infrastructure projects.
The decision was announced by Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makrand Jadhav-Patil and Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal.
Mr. Jaiswal said that until now, only landowners whose property was acquired under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, were eligible for PAP status and the associated rehabilitation benefits. Those who sold land through private negotiations for public projects were excluded despite contributing to the same projects.
“The new policy will extend the same recognition and benefits to such landowners and their heirs, making them eligible for rehabilitation benefits available under the State’s project-affected persons policy,” he said.
Replying to a query, Mr. Jadhav-Patil said the decision would also apply to cases prior to 2014. He said the decision followed representations from several organisations and project-affected groups, which argued that denying PAP status to landowners who cooperated with the government through negotiated settlements was discriminatory.
The issue was discussed at a meeting convened by the Relief and Rehabilitation Department on July 20, following which the government issued a Government Resolution (GR) on August 4.
Officials said the move is expected to strengthen public confidence in government projects and facilitate faster land procurement for future infrastructure projects by encouraging voluntary land transfers.
Mr. Jaiswal said recipients of PAP certificates would be eligible to apply for benefits linked to project-affected status, including reservations in recruitment to government departments and local bodies, as well as certain educational benefits, wherever applicable under existing rules.
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