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Govt will play role in land acquisition: Jairam

Taking a contrary view of the recommendations made by the standing committee on the Land Bill, the rural development minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday made it clear that the government's role can't be ignored when it comes to acquiring land for private business.

'We must recognise that we are not in a stage of development where government role in land acquisition can be completely eliminated and abandoned,' said Ramesh.

The minister added that it is inevitable for faster industrialisation and urbanisation also.

The standing committee on rural development, which had tabled its report in Parliament on Thursday, had recommended that the government should not acquire land for private businesses and stressed on a clearer definition of public purpose in this regard.

'The public purpose can at times be met by government organisations and at times these are met even by private companies also. The notion that private companies serve only private interest is not something that I believe in,' said Ramesh.

The rural development minister added there are interests and occasions like power plants, airports and infrastructure projects where the government requires private investment to promote public objectives.

However, the ministry will reconsider the definition of public purpose as defined in its earlier draft.

On the issue of state governments expressing their reservations on the role played by the central government when it comes to acquiring land and fixing compensation, the rural development minister said that maximum flexibility would be given to state governments and every effort will be made to incorporate the recommendations made by the state governments.
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