The Revenue and Land Reforms Department of Bihar has formed a five-member committee at the district level to determine land rates for central and state government development projects.
This committee will also classify the type and quality of land. Additional Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar Singh has informed District Magistrates about the committee's formation. The Additional Collector (Revenue) will chair the committee, with the District Land Acquisition Officer serving as member secretary.
Other members include the District Sub-Registrar, the Deputy Development Commissioner, and the Land Reforms Deputy Collector of the area where the land is being acquired. Rural land is classified into seven categories: commercial, industrial, residential, land along highways and main roads, irrigated land, non-irrigated land, and sandy, rocky, diara, and chanwar land.
Urban land is classified into six categories: main road commercial, residential, main road, industrial, branch road, other road, agricultural, and non-residential land. The new land acquisition system mandates digital photos and videography of the land, including photos of present government officials.
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Disputes often arise between landowners and acquiring departments regarding land classification. Landowners often complain that their land's classification is changed, leading to lower compensation. This new process aims to determine land type at the start of the acquisition process.
While a new rate determination process is in place, the minimum rate for registration is still based on 2017 figures, causing delays. The Revenue and Land Reforms Department has urged the Registration Department to set new rates.