First Par panel meet on Land Bill: Oppn raises queries

Expressing dissatisfaction over the government's arguments in favour of the bill, the members demanded a "composite" inter-ministerial reply on the issue.

At the meeting, headed by BJP member S S Ahluwalia, the Rural Development Ministry and Legislative department in the Law Ministry made a presentation to members on the amendments made to the The Right To Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

As the officials of the two ministries explained the amendments, members from the Opposition parties including Congress, BJD, TMC and the Left raised questions over the rationale of doing away with the consent clause while acquiring land and removing necessity for a social impact assessment, sources said.

Interestingly, one BJP MP wondered whether the consent clause was removed and then questioned why was it done. The question left the other members amused as the amendments were made to the Act nearly six months ago through an ordinance in which the consent clause has been done away with.

During the presentation, some members also wanted more clarity on land acquisition for industrial corridors.

Several members demanded that since the issues involved were complex in nature, they would like to have a "composite" inter-ministry reply on the rationale behind the amendments.

The various ministries, including Rural Development and Law, are likely to furnish a joint reply early next month to the committee, the sources said.

In a bid to ensure that the committee is able to table its report on the first day of the Monsoon session, it will meet twice every week.