Allegation: Land Given to Adani Group at ₹1 Per Year — What We Know
Summary (Short)
Recent political reports and media coverage have claimed that the Adani Group received large tracts of land in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur (Bihar) on terms that amount to just ₹1 per year for several decades. Those reports focus on a proposed 2,400 MW thermal power project and on allegations that land and trees were transferred under very favourable conditions. This article explains the claim, summarises public records and company statements, and outlines what independent verification is still needed before making conclusive statements.
What was reported
Media outlets and opposition political statements carried two main claims: (1) that around 1,050 acres of land were allocated for the project, and (2) that the land (and thousands of fruit and timber trees reportedly standing on it) has, according to critics, been transferred under a token lease payment — described in coverage as “₹1 per year”. These reports were accompanied by allegations about low compensation to local landholders and about inadequate environmental or social consultation.
Company and government responses
Adani's public statement about the power purchase agreement and the project emphasised the project scale and a tariff agreed for power supply. The company press release outlines a 2,400 MW power-supply agreement with the Bihar government and the commercial terms for electricity tariff, but it does not by itself prove or disprove the nature of the land transfer payment. Government spokespeople at the state or district level may respond differently in interviews or press notes; official land allotment records (lease deeds, transfer orders, or government minutes) remain the best primary sources to confirm the exact legal terms.
Key questions for verification
- Is there a formal lease deed or land allotment order available in the public records (district revenue / land registry) that shows the rate and duration? If yes, what is the exact clause and effective date?
- Were private landowners asked to give their land voluntarily, or was there any government acquisition power used? If private land transfers occurred, are the sale/lease agreements publicly available?
- Were environmental clearances and tree-transplant / compensation plans prepared and published? Large-scale tree removal or land-use change requires statutory environmental approvals in India.
- What compensation was paid to landowners — market value, statutory compensation (if acquisition), or some other arrangement?
Context: Why a token ₹1 annual charge can appear in public projects
In several public–private projects around India, the government can allot land on concessional or nominal lease rates for strategic infrastructure projects (power, ports, industrial corridors). Sometimes the phrasing “₹1 per year” reflects a long-term peppercorn lease where the government retains ownership and grants a long lease with nominal token rent; other times it can be shorthand used by political critics to convey the idea of a highly concessional allotment.
Important: a nominal price in a lease document does not by itself mean laws were broken. The legality depends on whether requisite procedures (cabinet approvals, environmental clearances, transparent tendering or policy authority under the relevant state policy) were followed.
What public documents to check (how to verify)
To verify, journalists and citizens typically request or search for:
- District land records / khasra and mutation entries showing change of ownership or lease.
- Copy of the lease deed or allotment order (issued by the state government or authorised body).
- Minutes of the cabinet or authority that approved the allotment (if a government body approved the concession).
- The environmental clearance file (if required for conversion of agricultural land to industrial use), including social impact assessments or tree-transplant compensation plans.
- Press releases from the private company describing the commercial terms of the power purchase or project, which sometimes reference associated land arrangements.
Why balanced reporting matters
Claims that sound dramatic—“land given for ₹1”—are politically powerful. But balanced reporting requires comparing: (a) the specific legal document wording, (b) whether the land is being leased (government retains ownership) vs. transferred outright, and (c) whether statutory steps like auctions, public notification or compensation were followed. Absent these details, strong conclusions are premature.
Potential social & environmental concerns
If the reports about trees and farmland are correct, concerns include loss of livelihoods for farmers, loss of fruit trees that provide seasonal income, impacts on groundwater, and clearance-related impacts on biodiversity. These require independent environmental audits and properly documented compensation and resettlement plans under Indian law.
Suggested responsible steps for local stakeholders & journalists
- Request copies of the allotment / lease deeds from district authorities under the Right to Information (RTI) Act (if you are in India).
- Ask the local revenue office to provide mutation records and any acquisition files.
- Interview affected landholders and request their sale/lease agreements in writing.
- Seek the environmental clearance document from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) or central MoEF portal, if applicable.
- Cross-check the company statement against the primary land documents before publishing strong allegations.
Conclusion (English)
Current reports say the Adani Group was allotted land in Pirpainti (Bhagalpur) on highly concessional terms described as “₹1 per year”. Public company statements confirm a 2,400 MW project and commercial tariff terms for electricity supply, but they do not settle the legal detail of land allotment. The claim therefore remains a serious allegation that demands primary-document verification: lease deeds, allotment orders, and environmental and compensation records. Publishing responsibly means distinguishing between accusations, the company’s public statements, and what the hard documents actually show.
- Press coverage summarising the allegation in regional & national media reporting (e.g., Times of India report on the claim that land was given on concessional terms).
- Adani Group media release describing the 2,400 MW power supply agreement and commercial tariff terms (company newsroom).
(Readers: check district land records, the published lease deed or allotment order, and SEIAA/ MoEF files for the authoritative primary documents.)
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