Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Land lease policy for windmills on cards by Nikhil Deshmukh

Land lease policy for windmills on cards by Nikhil Deshmukh

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Jun 21, 2010   modified Modified on Jun 21, 2010

The state government is in the process of introducing a land lease policy whereby landowners can lease out land for setting up windmill projects in the state. The policy would help in resolving various issues between companies and landowners and is expected to expedite the process of setting up windmill projects.

As per the draft policy, landowners would continue to be the owners of the land, unlike in many cases where land has been sold to the companies for windmill projects. The rates were varying and there have been allegations that the companies have bought land at throwaway prices. Some landowners, mostly farmers, had got good prices for their land after they demanded the price after knowing that the company was going to set up a windmill project.

In the new policy, the charges for leasing of land will be fixed on the basis of the energy generating capacity of the windmill project. The greater the generation capacity, higher will be the lease charges. The policy will be discussed by the state cabinet committee, after which it will be introduced in the Assembly session.

Incidentally, there has been unrest among landowners regarding the sale of land and the prices at which land was bought by companies for windmill projects, particularly in Patan, Satara and Mann talukas of Satara district, and Kavathe-Mahankal, Tasgaon and Shirala talukas of Sangli district. During an agitation under the leadership of activist Bharat Patankar last month, farmers have opposed new windmill projects which are being set up in the area. While there are already around 3,000 windmill projects in these two districts, around 100 new windmills are being set up.

State ministers R R Patil, Ajit Pawar, and minister for non-conventional energy Ganesh Naik had a meeting with farmers and company officials in the last week of May. Naik told TOI: “The agitation in Satara and Sangli was led by farmers who have alleged that the companies have purchased land at lower prices. Agricultural land of some farmers is used for construction of roads to the windmill projects. The government had received suggestions from local officials and residents that a land lease policy needs to be framed to sort out the issue.”

Naik added, “The issue will be introduced in the monsoon session of the Assembly. Once approved, it policy will help bring parity in the whole business. Windmills are being set up in various parts of the state, hence it will avoid future unrest among the stakeholders.”

Welcoming the government’s move, Patankar said, “The government’s policy will bring uniformity in land lease issues and both sides will abide with it. Due to the increasing demand for land, there has been an increase in illegal practices like fake documentation, changes in the names of landowners, etc. These practices will be curbed.”

When contacted, Rajendra Kharul, senior fellow and head of the centre of wind power, the World Institute of Sustainable Energy, said: “Land availability is the crucial issue as far as projects are concerned. As many companies are facing problems in getting land for windmills, many projects have been cancelled or shifted to other states. In last three years, projects with a capacity to generate up to 400 megawatts have gone out of the state.”

Kharul added that it even if the policy is formed, it would be difficult for the government to stop farmers from demanding their own fixed prices. These issues need to be considered, before finalising the policy, he said.


The Times of India, 22 June, 2010, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Pune/Land-lease-policy-for-windmills-on-cards/articleshow/6076877.cms


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close