In 2007, the Rajasthan government had planned a lignite-based thermal power plant in Shivkar village in Barmer district and reserved 1,900 acres of land for lignite mining. Despite their protests, the state continued with the land acquisition. In 2012, it called a public hearing to receive feedback on the land acquisition. At the hearing, the farmers reiterated that they would only give up their land under the provisions proposed in the new Land Acquisition Bill. In January 2014, the government again issued notices to the farmers for land acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The farmers then filed a petition at the Rajasthan High Court, which directed the government to acquire the land under the new Land Acquisition Act, which was passed in 2013. However, the government has till date not denotified the land that was reserved for the project. This has restricted the farmers from exercising their rights on the land, such as selling it off and availing farm loan. Land Acquisition Officer Neeraj Mishra said that he has informed the state government about the matter and that the decision is now pending with the government.