Maharashtra Minister of State for Energy, Meghna Sakore-Bordikar, stated in the Legislative Assembly that power transmission projects in the state will proceed only after ensuring fair compensation for affected farmers. Responding to a motion by MLA Sunil Shelke, she highlighted the evolution of compensation norms, noting that farmers received no compensation before 2010 for such projects.
The policy introduced in 2010 initially provided compensation at 25%, 50%, and 65% of the market rate in phases. This was revised in 2017 to offer double the Ready Reckoner rate for tower base land and 15% compensation for the Right of Way under transmission lines. Under the updated policy in 2022, the compensation framework has been significantly improved.
The revised policy ensures that land used for tower bases is compensated based on the market rate, the Ready Reckoner rate, or the average of the highest land transaction rates in the village over the previous three years, whichever is higher. Compensation for land falling directly beneath transmission lines has been doubled from 15% to 30% under the Right of Way.
“The land ownership remains entirely with the farmer; no land acquisition takes place in this process,” clarified MoS Bordikar. A committee led by the District Collector determines compensation rates based on local market values, with a strict timeline for dispute resolution. Farmers can file objections within 30 days of compensation rate announcements, and decisions on appeals must be made within 60 days by District Collectors.
Illustrating the impact of the policy, the Minister cited the example of Khujgaon Khurd village, where farmers are being paid Rs 3,997.66 per square meter for tower bases and Rs 599.65 per square meter for land under transmission lines, higher than the base land rate of Rs 1,998.83 per square meter. MoS Bordikar assured that concerns about potential losses to smallholders and tribal farmers holding government-allotted land are being taken seriously.
High-level meetings will be held with District Collectors of Palghar and Thane to address specific cases and formulate additional protective measures.
