Jairam gives final push to get land acquisition Bill passed
12 April 2013 12:55 AM GMT
In an effort to pass the land acquisition Bill, rural development minister Jairam Ramesh is leaving not stone unturned as he went about meeting the leaders of political parties to evolve a consensus on the Bill. With an all party meet scheduled on 18 April, the rural development minister is making an all out effort to iron out the differences that political party’s have over the land Bill.
Ramesh on Thursday met Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and CPI leader D Raja and both the meetings were fruitful.The Minister will meet CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury and JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav on Friday seeking their support over the land bill. Sources in the ministry said that BJP ally Shiv Sena has already extended its support to the legislation. After the meeting CPI leader D Raja, said ‘We discussed the issue, we need a strong legislation. Right now we have a law which was formulated in colonial era. I have raised some serious concerns about the issue with him which include that farmers’ interest should not be affected. He said our concerns will be looked into.’
After the 9 April meeting, Swaraj had said BJP has submitted 12 points of concern. One was over the government deleting the term SEZ and replacing it with manufacturing zones in the bill. BJP had also suggested that instead of acquisition, the land could be leased to the developer as it was a better proposition because the land will remain with the farmer and would provide him with regular annual income.
Following opposition from parties on such points, the government had asked the parties to submit the suggestions regarding the bill by 15 April. The Rural Development Ministry would study the suggestions and get back to them before the consultations on 18 April.
So far, BJP, CPI-M and AIADMK have given their suggestions, officials said.Â
Ramesh on Thursday met Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and CPI leader D Raja and both the meetings were fruitful.The Minister will meet CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury and JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav on Friday seeking their support over the land bill. Sources in the ministry said that BJP ally Shiv Sena has already extended its support to the legislation. After the meeting CPI leader D Raja, said ‘We discussed the issue, we need a strong legislation. Right now we have a law which was formulated in colonial era. I have raised some serious concerns about the issue with him which include that farmers’ interest should not be affected. He said our concerns will be looked into.’
After the 9 April meeting, Swaraj had said BJP has submitted 12 points of concern. One was over the government deleting the term SEZ and replacing it with manufacturing zones in the bill. BJP had also suggested that instead of acquisition, the land could be leased to the developer as it was a better proposition because the land will remain with the farmer and would provide him with regular annual income.
Following opposition from parties on such points, the government had asked the parties to submit the suggestions regarding the bill by 15 April. The Rural Development Ministry would study the suggestions and get back to them before the consultations on 18 April.
So far, BJP, CPI-M and AIADMK have given their suggestions, officials said.Â
Next Story
