MYSORE: In the wake of widespread discontentment over the "paltry" compensation given for the land acquired, the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) is thinking of formulating new acquisition norms that provide for sanction of 7,200 sq. ft. of developed land in return for every acre of land acquired.

The new norms figured even during Monday's meeting of the MUDA chaired by Deputy Commissioner Selva Kumar. Members are understood to have agreed in principle to adopt the proposal and help give land-losers their due.

A formal decision in the regard is expected shortly. After formalising the decision, the MUDA is expected to seek approval from the State Government and amend the rules relating to payment of compensation.

Thontadarya, MLC, who attended the meeting, told presspersons that many people, particularly farmers, who had lost their land to MUDA were not satisfied with the compensation given to them in view of the rising price of land in and around Mysore. "The MUDA is not in a position to pay them the market rate. The compensation given barely crosses Rs. 5 lakh an acre even if the market rate is around Rs. 20 lakh," he said.

Under the proposed norms, the land-loser would not receive money from the MUDA in lieu of his land.

"But after the residential layout is developed, he will be given three residential sites with a dimension of 40X60 or 7,200 sq. ft. of land for every acre," Mr. Thontadarya said.

He said such a system was in vogue in various urban development bodies in Gujarat and a team of officials from MUDA had visited that State to study the matter.

Mr. Thontadarya said the MUDA proposed to acquire 2,600 acres of land around Mysore for developing new layouts, and the proposed land acquisition norms were likely to be adopted during the process.

The existing land acquisition process was delayed on account of litigation by land losers.

The proposed land acquisition norms would hasten the development of new residential layouts and clear the long waiting list of site aspirants in Mysore, he said.

Mr. Thontadarya said the existing waiting list could be cleared in about six years if the hurdles in the land acquisition process were cleared by adopting the new norms.

Chikkamadu, MLC, said the MUDA's compensation was poor compared to that given by the Karnataka Housing Board (KHB), which recently acquired 20 acres of land on the outskirts of Mysore by paying Rs. 15 lakh an acre.

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