Bengal Cabinet nod for land acquisition Bill

The West Bengal government on Wednesday stuck to its stand of direct purchase of land for industrial projects, while finalising the state’s land policy. The state Cabinet met on Wednesday to pass the policy, but refused to make it public, citing the election code of conduct. By-polls are slated for September 25 and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee happens to be one of the candidates.

Emerging from the meeting, commerce and industry minister Partha Chatterjee said the policy had been passed by the Cabinet, but did not divulge details. As was widely anticipated, the state will steer clear of acquiring land for projects —both public and private — with the exception of hospitals, railways and security. But even for such projects, consent of 80 per cent of the land losers will be mandatory, said officials close to the development.

The Centre’s Land Bill requires 80 per cent consent for public purpose projects, which is defined as land used for strategic purposes like infrastructure and industry. Multi-crop land will not be acquired. Though the Land Policy has not caught industry unawares, representatives said it would be difficult to acquire land for large projects and felt that the Centre’s Bill was more acceptable to the industry.

The rehabilitation package mentioned in the policy has a host of options for land losers — from one-time compensations to annuity for 20 years and jobs. A separate Bill for landless labourers could also be in the offing. The state government plans to convene an all-party meet before it places it before the legislative assembly. Clearly, Chief Minister Banerjee, who came to power by supporting the farmers’ cause, is living up to her electoral promises.