Land issues top industry agenda

Land acquisition seems to be on top of the agenda for the industry experts and chambers of commerce ahead of the Budget. In the recent past, many projects have been stalled because of land aquisition. The fate of the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill and the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill remained unclear and industry experts stressed the need for fast-tracking the Bills.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to announce the chamber’s wishlist for the Union Budget, Sanjay Budhia, president, ICC, said, “The land acquisition amendment bill is important from the industry perspective. This will give a clear guideline to the policy of land acqusition to make sure that development does not come in conflict with political sentiments.”

"We want the Centre to fast-track the land acqusition amendement Bill and the rehabiliation and resettlement Bill. Land issues are sensitive and there should be reforms and clear policies,"he added. The Centre is expected to reintroduce the two Bills in the Budget session of Parliament slated for July 2.