The first Land acquisition law was introduced in India in the year __________.

The correct answer is '1894'.

Key Points

• Introduction of the first Land Acquisition Law in India:
  • The Land Acquisition Act of 1894 was introduced during British rule in India. It was the first codified legal framework for acquiring private land for public purposes, such as infrastructure development or administrative needs.
  • This Act aimed to provide a systematic procedure for acquiring land while compensating landowners, though the compensation was often inadequate.
  • The Act empowered the government to compulsorily acquire land if it was deemed necessary for public use, with limited scope for the landowners to challenge the acquisition.
  • Post-independence, the Act continued to be in use but faced criticism for being outdated and unfair. It was eventually replaced by the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

Additional Information

• Overview of Incorrect Options:
  • Option 1 (1984): This year does not mark the introduction of the first land acquisition law. However, amendments to the 1894 Act were made during the 1980s to address some of its limitations, though these amendments were still considered inadequate.
  • Option 3 (1784): This year predates the codification of any formal land acquisition laws in India. During this period, British colonial interests focused on trade and governance, but no structured legal framework for land acquisition existed.
  • Option 4 (1694): This year falls within the early colonial era when the British East India Company was primarily engaged in trade activities. Legal frameworks for land acquisition were not established until much later.

• Legacy of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894:
  • The 1894 Act shaped land acquisition processes in India for over a century but was criticized for favoring the government and neglecting the rights of landowners and affected communities.
  • The Act lacked provisions for rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced persons, leading to widespread social and economic challenges.
  • Its replacement in 2013 was aimed at addressing these shortcomings by ensuring fair compensation, transparency, and rehabilitation measures.