Land Bill likely to be introduced in Parliament next week

The Land Acquisition Bill, which seeks to strengthen landowners' rights during acquisition for development, will be introduced in Parliament next week, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh indicated today, hoping for a smooth passage for the controversial measure.

"You score the maximum in the slog overs," he told reporters when asked whether the Bill cleared by the Union Cabinet yesterday, will be brought in Parliament in the current session, which concludes on December 20.

Replying to questions, he said the Bill is a "progressive" measure and the Government hopes support from all political parties. The Bill makes aquiring the consent of 80 per cent of people whose land is taken for private projects mandatory.

Mr Ramesh further insisted that the Bill, which aims to replace the outdated British-era Land Acquisition Act, 1894, is a "balanced" one, adding that all parties had already demanded that the old Act must be changed.

He said that the Bill has ensured a balance between land users and investors, and for the first time, provided for compensation not only for land owners but also livelihood losers.

According to Mr Ramesh, this is a concurrent legislation and the states will only have to improve upon it. "They cannot distract," he said.

The proposed legislation, has been rechristened as Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquistion, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill.