Govt open to suggestions on land bill, says minister

Sangh-affiliated outfits and allies like Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal have pressed govt to restore consent clause and social impact assessment

Rural Development Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh today said the government was open to suggestions on the contentious land Bill after the parliamentary joint committee submits its report to Parliament.

"If any suggestion comes in relation to any clause, we are ready to consider it in farmers' interest.... There is no such rigidity on our part that we are not willing accept if there is anything good," Singh said when asked about the demands by not only the Opposition parties but also Sangh affiliated outfits and allies like Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal to restore consent clause and social impact assessment (SIA).



"Once the committee gives its report, then we will see and if good suggestions come in the interest of the farmers, we are ready to accept it," he said.

But the Minister asserted that it was at the suggestion of Congress ruled state governments that these amendments were incorporated.

"It was their suggestion that under the present law (2013 Act), the process of land acquisitions becomes very slow and the SIA delays the process. Now the same parties after losing elections in states began championing the cause of farmers. Blowing hot and cold on every issue cannot go on," Singh said.

The Minister claimed that hardly any state has been able to acquire land since the 2013 Act came into force and that even rules have not been framed in any state.