Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS) The parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development headed by Bharatiya Janata Party’s Lok Sabha member Sumitra Mahajan has invited public opinion on the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011.The bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha Sep 7 was referred to the committee by Speaker Meira Kumar. The panel invited public opinion Thursday.

The draft bill gives compensation for land at four times the market value in rural areas.

Addressing the concerns of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, the draft bill lays a condition that while not more than five percent multi-cropped land can be acquired in a district, an equivalent wasteland would have to be developed for agriculture purposes.

But this clause shall not apply to linear projects like railways, higways, power lines and irrigation canals.

The draft bill has also tightened definition of “public purpose” and made provision of “eminent domain” - meaning land acquisition would require prior consent of 80 percent “project affected” people where the government acquires land for transferring it to private companies for public purpose.

The central law would override existing state laws on land acquisition.

The draft bill provides compensation not only to land owners but people who lose their livelihood because of land acquisition.

A new clause bans change of purpose in the land use plan submitted and facilitates transfer of land acquired back to the state government’s land bank if not used for 10 years.

While there would be social impact assessment to ensure transparency, the draft bill also has fixed three month’s time for payment of compensation.

According to the rural development ministry, the bill seeks to ensure a humane, participatory, and transparent process for land acquisition for industrialisation, infrastructure development and urbanisation.

The committee has invited views/suggestions from individuals, experts, professionals, organisations and associations interested in the subject.