Publication of notification in the Extra Ordinary Gazette of India under Section 6(1) of the PMP Act 1962 1962 relating to land schedule in respect of Hassan Cherlapalli LPG Pipeline Project to be laid by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) for acquisition of ROU in the State of Karnataka Taluka Challakere, District Chitradurga, S.O No.: 2962 (E) dated 22.07.2021

## Policy Analysis Report: Acquisition of Right of User for LPG Pipeline in Telangana **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas regarding the acquisition of Right of User (RoU) in land for laying an LPG pipeline from Hassan, Karnataka, to Cherlapalli, Telangana, by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). The notification, published in the Gazette of India on September 15, 2021, declares the Central Government's acquisition of RoU and its subsequent vesting in HPCL. HPCL is solely responsible for compensation related to the pipeline. This report provides an overview of the policy, its rationale, key provisions, affected stakeholders, and anticipated outcomes based solely on the provided policy text. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide stakeholders in the petroleum and natural gas industry with a comprehensive overview of the notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on September 15, 2021, regarding the acquisition of Right of User (RoU) for an LPG pipeline. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a new policy directly related to acquisition of land user rights rather than an amendment to existing policy. * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to facilitate the laying of a pipeline for the transportation of LPG from Hassan, Karnataka, to Cherlapalli, Telangana, by acquiring the Right of User (RoU) in the necessary land. **4. Background and Rationale:** * **Likely Problem/Issue Addressed:** The policy addresses the need to acquire land rights to enable the construction of necessary infrastructure for transporting LPG. Without the legal mechanism to acquire RoU, pipeline construction could be significantly hampered by disputes with landowners. This policy enables the Central Government to facilitate the development of energy infrastructure. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** As this is a new policy action, the key components are outlined below: * **Declaration of Intention:** The Central Government previously declared its intention to acquire RoU via notification S.O.No. 2962E dated the 22nd July, 2021. * **Acquisition of Right of User:** The Central Government declares that the Right of User in the land specified in the Schedule appended to the notification is acquired for laying the pipeline. * **Vesting of Right of User:** The Right of User in the land vests in Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) instead of the Central Government, effective from the date of publication of the declaration. This vesting is free from all encumbrances. * **Liability for Compensation:** HPCL is exclusively liable for any compensation in terms of Section 10 of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipeline (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962. No legal proceedings can be initiated against the Central Government regarding the pipeline. * **Schedule:** The notification includes a schedule specifying the Taluk, District, State, Village, Survey Number, and Area (Acres and Guntas) of the land affected. In this notification, the schedule details land in Challakere Taluk, Chitradurga District, State of Karnataka, specifically listing seven survey numbers in Kyadigunte village. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the provided text, the directly affected stakeholders are: * **Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL):** As the entity responsible for laying the pipeline and paying compensation. * **Landowners in Kyadigunte Village, Challakere Taluk, Chitradurga District, Karnataka:** Whose land falls under the specified survey numbers and is subject to the acquired Right of User. * **Central Government:** Which oversees the process and ensures compliance with the Act. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** * Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (issuing notification) * Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) (laying pipeline and providing compensation) * Competent Authority (submitting report to the Central Government). * **Timelines/Procedures:** * The notification follows a previous notification (S.O.No. 2962E dated the 22nd July, 2021) declaring the intention to acquire RoU. * Copies of the Extraordinary Gazette notification were made available to the public up to 23rd August 2021. * The vesting of the Right of User in HPCL is effective from the date of publication of the declaration (September 15, 2021). * HPCL is responsible for compensation under Section 10 of the PMP Act, 1962. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** * The intended outcome is the facilitation of the LPG pipeline project from Hassan to Cherlapalli. The vesting of RoU in HPCL streamlines the project implementation by granting HPCL the necessary rights to lay the pipeline. Landowners will receive compensation as per the PMP Act, 1962. This acquisition should lead to improved LPG transportation infrastructure, increased efficiency and reduced reliance on more costly means of transport like trucks. **9. Conclusion:** The notification from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas declares the acquisition of Right of User in land for the Hassan-Cherlapalli LPG pipeline project and vests these rights in HPCL. This policy is a critical step in facilitating the development of energy infrastructure and ensuring the smooth transportation of LPG. HPCL bears the responsibility for compensation, and the Central Government is shielded from related legal proceedings. This action demonstrates the government's commitment to improving energy infrastructure and supporting economic growth.

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