Utilization of Compensation Money after Land Acquisition: A Case Study of Fatehabad District in Haryana

This paper is based on primary data collected from a household survey carried out in district fatehabad of Haryana, where the Government of Haryana acquired 1502.39 acres of land for Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant. A total of 70 households were selected from two randomly selected villages. We analyzed the utilization pattern of compensation money by respondents. The results revealed that 73.70 per cent of the compensation money was used for income-generating (investment) activities. Buying of agricultural land accounted for the highest share followed by expenditure on bank deposits, residential plots, new business, purchase of agricultural assets, lending money to others and education. 26.30 per cent of the compensation amount was used on non- income generating (consumption) activities. Deeper analysis revealed that land acquisition has not only affected the agriculture-based activities but also led to change in livelihood activities of farmers.