Publication of notification of extraordinary gazette under section 20A Revised of the Railway Act 1989 24 of 1989 in connection with Special Railway Project Rajkot Kanalus Doubling Project in the Jamnagar district Corrigendum to Notification No SO 4563E published on 28 09 2022

## Report on Amendment to Land Acquisition Policy for Railways Project in Gujarat **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a corrigendum to a notification regarding land acquisition for the Rajkot-Kanalus doubling of the Broad Gauge single line railway project in Gujarat. The corrigendum addresses typographical errors in the original notification (S.O. 4563E), specifically correcting the district and responsible officer mentioned. The core purpose of the amendment is to ensure accurate information is available to stakeholders, especially landowners, regarding the land acquisition process. The key finding is that the amendment focuses on correcting administrative details to facilitate the proper implementation of the Railways Act, 1989, concerning land acquisition for the project. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide information regarding a specific amendment to a land acquisition notification related to a railway project in Gujarat. This analysis is based solely on the provided text of the official notification. **3. Policy Overview:** * This report concerns an *amendment* to Notification No. S.O. 4563E, published on Dt.28092022, regarding the acquisition of land for the Rajkot-Kanalus doubling of the Broad Gauge single line in District Rajkot and Jamnagar in the State of Gujarat. The original notification was issued under the Railways Act, 1989. * The core objective of the original policy (inferred from the text) is to acquire land deemed necessary for a public purpose, namely the execution of the Special Railway Project. **4. Background and Rationale:** This is an amendment to a previous notification, specifically a *corrigendum*. The likely reason for this specific amendment is to rectify typographical errors present in the original notification. The incorrect identification of the district and responsible officer could lead to confusion and legal challenges, potentially delaying the project and infringing on the rights of affected parties. Therefore, this amendment aims to correct these errors, ensuring accuracy and transparency in the land acquisition process. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section focuses on the changes introduced by the amendment: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment directly modifies the information regarding the district and the responsible officer (Prant Officer) involved in the land acquisition process as stated in Notification No. S.O. 4563E. * **New Rule/Provision:** The amendment replaces the incorrect information with the following corrections: * "District Rajkot" should be read as "District Jamnagar." * "Prant Officer Rajkot Rural, District Rajkot" should be read as "Prant Officer Jamnagar Rural, District Jamnagar." * **Difference/Effect of the Change:** This change ensures that objections to the land acquisition are directed to the correct authority (Prant Officer Jamnagar Rural, District Jamnagar). It also ensures that landowners in District Jamnagar are properly informed and have the opportunity to raise objections, as initially only Rajkot landowners were informed. This rectification promotes fairness and adherence to due process. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the directly affected target audience and stakeholders include: * Landowners within the geographical area designated for acquisition, especially those in District Jamnagar. * The Prant Officer Jamnagar Rural, District Jamnagar (the "competent authority"). * The Ministry of Railways, specifically the Western Railway Construction Organization. * Any person interested in the said land. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Central Government (Ministry of Railways) is ultimately responsible, with the Western Railway Construction Organization handling the project and the Prant Officer Jamnagar Rural, District Jamnagar acting as the competent authority for addressing objections. * **Timelines/Procedures:** Individuals have thirty days from the date of the notification's publication (November 10, 2022) in the Official Gazette to raise objections. These objections must be submitted in writing to the Prant Officer Jamnagar Rural, District Jamnagar. The competent authority must then provide an opportunity for a hearing before allowing or disallowing the objections. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of these specific changes introduced by the amendment is to: * Ensure legal compliance by correcting inaccuracies in the notification. * Facilitate a smoother land acquisition process by directing objections to the correct authority. * Protect the rights of landowners in District Jamnagar by providing them with accurate information and the opportunity to object. * Avoid potential legal challenges arising from incorrect information. **9. Conclusion:** This report has analyzed the amendment (corrigendum) to the notification regarding land acquisition for the Rajkot-Kanalus railway project. The amendment's significance lies in its correction of critical administrative details, ensuring the proper execution of the Railways Act, 1989, and protecting the rights of affected landowners, particularly those in District Jamnagar. This correction is vital for maintaining the integrity of the land acquisition process and facilitating the successful completion of the railway project.

Key Entities Referenced