If we were to believe that land drives livelihoods, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (Land Act 2013) would be pivotal to our existence. This new Land Act 2013, has put into perspective historical injustices and several articles in this issue debates its new competencies. Following the 2013 Act is the very recent 2014 Ordinance by the same name, which perhaps dilutes a very progressive law. By doing away with the social impact assessment for a wide range of projects, and the relaxation of the consent clause, it seems that land acquisition may be subject to the discretion of the State and industry. This issue of G’nY seeks to dwell upon the relationship between land, citizen and the State. The articles are strung in a manner that will bring forth the big picture from land acquisition policy to field realities of rehabilitation and resettlement. It does however seem that the State is shirking its responsibility of being a socialist and a welfare body—the most intrinsic of its essence. Ranging from land acquisition policy to implementation, gross inadequacies in urban and regional planning are resulting in loss of revenue to the State and her citizens. 

Happy Reading.