The government on Thursday clinched a "broad consensus" on the contentious Land Acquisition Bill, paving the way for its consideration and passage in Parliament in the Budget Session which resumes on Monday after a month-long recess.
Ahead of a meeting of Group of Ministers, the rural development ministry sought to allay apprehensions of industries and infrastructure sectors over the controversial land acquisition bill, contending that the amendments in the legislation are investor-friendly.
The controversial Land Acquisition Bill was on Thursday cleared by the Union Cabinet, making mandatory the consent of 80 per cent of people whose land is taken for private projects.
The much-talked about Land Acquisition Bill, which provides for enhanced compensation to land owners and other benefits, was Monday approved by the Union Cabinet notwithstanding reservations from some senior ministers on some aspects.
The controversial Land Acquisition Bill is set for further delay as its consideration was on Tuesday deferred by the Lok Sabha till the next session bowing to the wishes of opposition members.
With the Centre clinching a "broad consensus" on the contentious Land Acquisition Bill, the Trinamool Congress, which did not attend the meeting, said it was opposed to many provisions of the Bill. "There is talk of reaching a broad consensus on the issue, which is not true," said Trinamool Congress leader in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandhopadhay.
Not all ministers are on board on certain critical provisions, want revision.
The final draft of the bill now proposes consent of two-third of "land losers" (from whom land would be purchased) for acquiring land for public-private-partnership and private projects, sources said.
The legislation will now be sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent.
The Land Acquisition Bill, passed by Parliament during the Monsoon Session to replace a 119-year-old legislation, became a law with President Pranab Mukherjee giving assent to it on.
Following Sonia Gandhi's suggestion, the percentage of landowners, whose consent is necessary for acquiring land for private purpose, has been raised from 67 per cent to 80 per cent in the proposed bill.
The Bill will be tabled in the winter session of Parliament later this year.
Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh believes that renaming the Land Acquisition Bill was felt necessary to eliminate the danger of the price spiralling once the first land is acquired in an area.
The government seeking to give another push to the controversial measure despite not having the numbers in the Rajya Sabha.
The path-breaking Land Acquisition Bill, which seeks to provide just and fair compensation to farmers while ensuring that no land can be acquired forcibly, was passed by the Lok Sabha with overwhelming majority on Thursday.
The Trinamool Congress chief opposed a major provision in the Bill which provides for private developers acquiring 70 per cent of the land for a proposed industrial project directly from the farmers and land-owners.
No more than 62% of farmland acquired for Special Economic Zones has been used for its intended purpose of boosting manufacturing, exports and jobs
We present a FAQ on the Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Bill, which the government hopes to table in the Parliament after being held-up for three years because of in-house differences.
C P Joshi, India's Rural Development Minister, on Tuesday claimed that a Bill to provide for acquisition of land for industrial projects and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) has been cleared by the Cabinet and the timing of its introduction in Parliament will be decided by the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry.
The Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill 2011 argues for a perfect land market, unrestrained urbanisation and industrialization, says activist Gopal Krishna.
The Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill 2011 argues for a perfect land market, unrestrained urbanisation and industrialization, says activist Gopal Krishna.
The new land Acquisition Bill has many implications.
Against the backdrop of rising protests from farmers over acquisition of their land, the Centre has decided to bring in a new legislation governing the exercise with a focus on farmers' welfare, Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said on Saturday.
It has suggested a provision for setting up land bank corporations to facilitate acquisition and disbursement of land for industrial use.
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry E M Sudarsana Natchiappan said the industry should reach out to people of those areas where they propose to set up projects and explain about the advantages locals can have in terms of employment and development.
The definition of affected family includes farm labourers, tenants, sharecroppers and workers in the area for three years prior to acquisition.
The government will on Tuesday introduce the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the Parliament to replace the Land Acquisition Ordinance.
Apart from land owners, both Bills give rights of compensation to tenant farmers, agricultural labourers and even non-agricultural labourers whose livelihood will be impacted by the acquisition of land and displacement.
Amid a raging controversy over land acquisition, the government on Friday unveiled a new draft Bill putting in place a transparent, legal framework aimed at giving adequate compensation to land owners and ensuring rehabilitation of those displaced.
The Vishwaguru who addressed the maximum rallies and boasted of being blessed with divine energy, who promised guarantees in his own name, turned out finally not invincible, points out Jyoti Punwani.
'Politics is a game of public perception and my father felt that by his long disappearances, Rahul Gandhi was losing the battle of perception.'
'They spent thousands of crores to destroy my image and now people think it is harmful to me'
Government agreed to a key demand of the BJP, which had suggested that instead of acquisition, the land could be leased to developers so that its ownership will remain with the farmers and would provide them with regular annual income.
Says govt is creating conditions for greater private investment
RJD chief Lalu Prasad took out a march on the main roads in Bihar capital on Sunday to protest against the Modi government's failure to bring black money.
On the agenda during the session will be getting the Land Acquisition Bill, GST and other important bills passed.
Social activist Anna Hazare on Saturday said he has decided to suspend his agitation scheduled on October 2 in New Delhi as the Central government allowed the Land Ordinance to lapse and implemented the One Rank One Pension OROP) for ex-servicemen.
The 78-year-old activist would be returning to the Ramlila maidan after a gap of over four years.
Ahead of the Parliament session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reached out to parties appealing them not to come in the way of prosperity of farmers, saying the deadlock over the land acquisition bill is seriously impacting rural development.
'Re-issuing ordinances is against convention. Courts have said that re-promulgation of an ordinance is against the Constitution.'
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