The Haryana government's ambitious plan to develop industrial model townships (IMTs) in Rewari and Mahendragarh districts has hit a roadblock as the majority of farmers are unwilling to part with their agricultural land, even with attractive incentives on offer. These projects, part of the 'Make in Haryana' initiative to create decentralised manufacturing hubs, remain non-starters.
Background of IMTs in Haryana
The state government intends to establish 10 IMTs across Haryana under its new industrial policy, which aims to streamline processes by offering online NOCs and eliminating the need for separate Change of Land Use (CLU) permissions. Two of these are proposed at Palhawas village in Rewari's Kosli subdivision and Khudana village in Mahendragarh district.
Under the policy, farmers who contribute land to the IMTs are entitled to a 50 percent share in the developed land. Additionally, they receive Rs 1 lakh per acre per year for about four years during the setting up of the township. The government has opted for a voluntary land pooling approach via the e-Bhoomi portal rather than forced acquisition.
Incentives Fail to Convince Farmers
Despite these benefits, farmers have shown little interest. At a recent conclave in Palhawas, Haryana Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh urged locals to give consent, stating, “The state government will protect the interests of the farmers while acquiring land for the IMTs.” He added that the construction of IMTs in south Haryana would bring prosperity to the entire state. Interested farmers were asked to apply through the e-Bhoomi portal or opt for the land-pooling policy.
Reasons Behind Farmer Reluctance
Local sources indicate that farmers are hesitant due to revised collector rates and high market prices of their land. They fear losing their primary livelihood from agriculture. Moreover, land ownership is often fragmented among multiple family members, complicating consent. Savita, the sarpanch of Palhawas village, explained: “Moreover, agricultural land is usually owned by numerous members of a family. In many cases, the land is owned by some person(s), but it is being cultivated by other(s). Differences amongst them also create hurdles in the grant of consent for acquisition of land.”
Khudana IMT Remains Stalled
The IMT project at Khudana village in Mahendragarh district has been delayed for years. The foundation stone was laid by former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in February 2019, but no progress has been made. The project, proposed to span 1,654 acres and include a tourism complex, was to be developed by the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC).
One major hurdle is that the land required to connect the IMT to the adjoining highway is owned by local residents, most of whom are unwilling to sell. Sources say the project was once labeled non-feasible and sent back to state authorities, though it has not been officially abandoned.
Government Efforts to Revive Projects
Kosli SDM Vijay Yadav stated that the e-Bhoomi portal will be reopened to gather consent from interested farmers, as the required 75 percent consent was not achieved in the first instance. A delegation from Khudana, led by veteran BJP leader and former minister Ram Bilas Sharma, met Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to push for expediting the project. The Chief Minister assured that obstacles would be resolved and ordered the appointment of a nodal officer. A coordination committee has been formed, but concrete progress remains elusive.
As per official sources, the delay persists due to practical hurdles, and despite political assurances, the IMTs in Rewari and Mahendragarh have yet to see any physical development.
