Section 101 of LARR Act, 2013 : Section 101: Return Of Unutilised Land

Explanation using Example

Imagine a scenario where a local government acquires a piece of land from Mr. Sharma to build a new highway. They compensate Mr. Sharma and take possession of the land. However, due to changes in infrastructure planning, the highway project is delayed and the land remains barren and unused for over five years. According to Section 101 of The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, since the land has not been utilised for the purpose it was acquired for within five years, it must be returned to Mr. Sharma or his legal heirs. Alternatively, the land could be transferred to the Land Bank of the state government, which would use it for other productive purposes.

In Andhra Pradesh, if there was a specified time frame for the highway project to be completed that was longer than five years, the land would not need to be returned until that specified period had lapsed without the project being initiated.

In Haryana, if the state government decides that the highway project for which Mr. Sharma's land was acquired is no longer viable, they have the power to denotify the land. Mr. Sharma may then be entitled to receive his land back, or if part of it has been used or encumbered, he might be given alternative land along with compensation for any damages.