PM promises forward looking law on land acquisition

New Delhi, Aug 15 (PTI) In the backdrop of controversies
surrounding procurement of land, Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh Monday promised enactment of a "forward looking
and balanced" law on land acquisition soon to prevent tensions
over the sensitive issue.
Taking note of the tensions caused in some parts of the
country because of acquisition of land for industry,
infrastructure and urbanisation, the Prime Minister said the
government will ensure that "no injustice is done to anyone in
the process of land acquisition."
He said, "Our farmers have been especially affected by
such acquisition. Land acquisition is no doubt necessary for
projects of public interest. But it should take place in a
transparent and fair manner. The interests of those whose
livelihoods are dependent on the land being acquired should be
fully protected."
Singh said the government wants to replace the
117-year-old land acquisition law by a new Land Acquisition
and Rehabilitation law which is forward looking and balanced.
"We have already prepared a draft legislation and have
initiated steps to build consensus on it. We will soon
introduce a Bill in Parliament to this end," he said.
The first government draft on Land Acquisition and
Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill is already out for
people's suggestions, while the ministry proposes to put out
an additional second draft on it soon.
The drafts will then be transformed in a bill by the law
department before it goes to Cabinet. After Cabinet's
approval, it will go to Parliament.
Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi had evinced
interest in the new land acquisition law and met the Prime
Minister formally at least twice over the issue.
A few months back he had taken up the cause of the
farmers protesting land acquisition by the Mayawati government
in Greater Noida.
Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council had also made
several recommendations for the land law, many of which have
found their inclusion in the new bill.
The second draft of the Bill aims to implement the
provisions for a better deal to land-owners even when the land
acquired measures 50 acres and above if it is for urbanisation
purpose.
As per the first draft of the bill, rehabilitation and
resettlement provisions are applicable only when private
companies buy land equal to or more than 100 acres on their
own.
Announcing this, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh
had said a few days back, "We should make some distinction
between urbanisation and industrialisation. Both
industrialisation and urbanisation should not be treated
equally. Now a days, all misuse is happening in the name of
industrialisation."