BJP-led committee welcomes changes in land Bill

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has welcomed the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s move to incorporate the suggestions of the standing committee in the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill that was cleared by group of ministers. BJP leaders indicated that there are not many contentious issues in the Bill now, and that the party was ready to discuss the Bill with the UPA government on the floor of the house. “I am very pleased that most of the important suggestions given by the parliamentary committee have been incorporated by the union government, including involvement of panchayats,” said BJP leader Sumitra Mahajan, who is also the chairperson of the standing committee on rural development.

Mahajan pointed out that the standing committee had recommended that the government should not acquire land for private entrepreneurs, which the government has agreed. She said the parliamentary committee had suggested that the government should involve panchayats during land acquisition, because farmers who lose their land should get a relevant platform to voice their concerns.

There are some minor differences to be sorted out, though. “The parliamentary committee had asked for the consent of 80 per cent of the people for land acquisition, but the government is talking about a consensus of two-third majority. Percentage is not such a big issue, because the government says majority’s view will be taken. We can discuss these issues,” Mahajan added.

Senior BJP leaders are also pleased with the fact the Union government has talked about policy for acquiring agricultural land in the LARR Bill, and not just multi-crop land as proposed earlier.

“The standing committee wanted the Bill to include all agricultural land, and not just multi-crop land,” said Mahajan. She said that farmers use single-crop land to grow a certain type of crop when there is a high demand for that. “The government has agreed to this demand as well,” she added.

The BJP leader from Madhya Pradesh elaborated that the Union government has also talked about the rights of tribals in the proposed Bill, which was suggested by the standing committee in its list recommendations.

“I don’t know what will be the view of the BJP after going through the details of the proposed draft Bill, but as a member of the standing committee, we are pleased that our views have been accepted,” she said.