Date: 2022-08-23Category: Extra OrdinaryState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Publication of Notification in the Extra Ordinary Gazette of India under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (ARUL) Act, 1962 for North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project of M/s. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL).
## Policy Analysis Report: Acquisition of Right of User for Natural Gas Pipeline in Assam
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, regarding the acquisition of the Right of User (RoU) for land in the Jorhat district of Assam. The policy facilitates the laying of a natural gas pipeline as part of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project, specifically the GNPL section, by Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL). The core purpose is to formally acquire the necessary land rights for the pipeline construction, ensuring the project's progression. The key finding is the detailed specification of land plots being acquired, highlighting the localized impact on landowners in the identified villages and districts. This report is based *solely* on the provided text of the notification.
**2. Introduction:**
This report aims to provide a concise and informative overview of a government notification pertaining to the acquisition of Right of User (RoU) for land needed for the construction of a natural gas pipeline in Assam. The analysis is based *exclusively* on the provided text of the notification, focusing on its key provisions, affected parties, and inferred implementation aspects.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This document appears to be a **New Policy** specifically related to the acquisition of land for a defined project.
* **Core Objective(s):** Based on the text, the primary objective is to formally acquire the Right of User (RoU) in specified land parcels to facilitate the construction of a natural gas pipeline. This action is pursuant to the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
* **New Policy Rationale:** The policy addresses the need to secure land rights for the construction of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project. The implication is that developing the natural gas infrastructure necessitates acquiring RoU over specific land parcels to allow for pipeline laying. Without this formal acquisition, the pipeline project's development would be impeded.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
* Since this is a new policy in the context of land acquisition for the pipeline, the key provisions are as follows:
* **Declaration of Acquisition:** The Government of India formally declares the acquisition of the Right of User in the land specified in the attached schedule.
* **Transfer of RoU:** The acquired Right of User is vested in Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL), allowing them to proceed with pipeline construction. This vesting is explicitly stated as "free from all encumbrances."
* **Schedule of Affected Land:** The schedule meticulously lists the specific land parcels affected by the acquisition. This includes the District (Jorhat), State (Assam), Circle, Mauza, Village, Dag No., and Area (in Hectare, Are, and Sq. meter) for each plot. This level of detail is crucial for identifying directly affected landowners.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the text, the primary target audience and stakeholders are:
* **Landowners:** Individuals owning land in the Jorhat district of Assam, specifically in the villages listed in the schedule (e.g., Sautal Bagh Chapari, Alisiga Pathar, Koibartta Shalatdiya, etc.). These landowners are directly affected by the acquisition of RoU over their land.
* **Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL):** The company responsible for laying the natural gas pipeline and the recipient of the acquired Right of User.
* **Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas:** The government body responsible for issuing the notification and overseeing the land acquisition process.
* **Competent Authority:** Body that addressed and disposed of objections received from the public.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:**
* Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (issuing authority).
* Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) (implementing agency – responsible for pipeline construction).
* Competent Authority (responsible for addressing and disposing of public objections).
* **Timelines/Procedures:**
* The notification states that the Right of User vests in IGGL on the date of publication of the declaration (August 23, 2022).
* The notification references a previous notification (S.O.No. 3022 E dated 29.06.2022), indicating a prior intention to acquire the RoU and a period for public objections. This suggests a multi-stage process involving initial notification, objection handling, report submission, and final declaration.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
* The primary intended outcome is to secure the necessary land rights for the construction of the natural gas pipeline. This will facilitate the development of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project, contributing to improved natural gas infrastructure in the region.
* The policy will likely lead to compensation being provided to the affected landowners for the Right of User acquired over their land. The exact compensation mechanism is not detailed in the provided text.
* Successful implementation of the policy will enable IGGL to proceed with the pipeline construction, contributing to the broader objectives of the natural gas infrastructure project.
**9. Conclusion:**
The notification represents a critical step in the process of acquiring land rights for the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project. By formally declaring the acquisition of the Right of User and vesting it in IGGL, the government enables the pipeline construction to proceed. The detailed schedule of affected land parcels provides clarity to landowners and other stakeholders regarding the specific areas impacted by the policy. The policy's significance lies in its contribution to developing the natural gas infrastructure in the region, which is a key objective of the Government. This analysis is limited to the provided text and does not encompass external factors or broader implications beyond the scope of the notification.
Key Entities Referenced
Malou Khat: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Malou Pam Gaon: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Bor Bheti: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas: A ministry of the Government of India.
New Delhi: Location of notification; Union Territory of Delhi
Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines Acquisition of Right of User in Land Act, 1962: An act of the Indian Parliament (50 of 1962) related to the acquisition of land for petroleum and mineral pipelines.
Extra Ordinary Gazette of India: Official government gazette where the notification was published.
GNPL section of North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project: A section of a natural gas pipeline project in North East India.
Assam: A state in India where the pipeline project is located.
Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited IGGL: The company responsible for laying the pipeline.
Competent Authority: An authority responsible for considering objections from the public regarding the pipeline project.
Jorhat: A district in Assam.
Saukhat: Circle within Jorhat district, Assam.
Alisiga Pathar: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Koibartta Shalatdiya: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Fehumukali Pathar: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Khahuwali Bamun Gaon: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Hatigar: Circle within Jorhat district, Assam.
Barkhat: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Barhoipam Gaon: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Barapaik Gaon: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Charigaon: Circle within Jorhat district, Assam.
Rangdoi Bamun Gaon: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Koibortta Gaon: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Duliya Gaon: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Kaliyani Pathar: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Hejari: Circle within Jorhat district, Assam.
Fakala Pathar: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Titabar: Circle within Jorhat district, Assam.
Patiya Gaon: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Koibartta Gaon: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Baligaon: Circle within Jorhat district, Assam.
Nij Baligaon: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Sarucharai: Circle within Jorhat district, Assam.
Kuhumjugnia: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
2 No Pahumara: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Mojiabheti Gaon: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Parbbatiya: Circle within Jorhat district, Assam.
Tingtingia Bheti: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
1 No Bhurakala: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Roumari Khuti: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Bhurakala Gaon No 2: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Rangagara Gaon: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
Rangagara Khuti: Mauza within Jorhat district, Assam.
RAKESH MISHRA: Under Secretary.