Govt to include NAC's recommendations in Land Acquisition Bill

Government today said the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill will include the recommendations made by Sonia Gandhi-led NAC, and once passed, the legislation will ensure that there are "no more Singurs" in the country.

"The recommendations of the NAC will be included in the Land Acquisition bill...There will be no more Singurs. It will support the aspirations of the people," Law Minister M Veerappa Moily told reporters here.

The Law Ministry will vet the bill, which is under consideration of the Rural Development Ministry, at a later stage before it is put up before the union cabinet.

The National Advisory Council (NAC) has prescribed a seven-point test for a having a humane legislation on land acquisition and rehabilitation.

In a recent letter to the government, the NAC suggested a check list of seven parameters which includes provisions for a rehabilitation package that is sensitive to the aspirations of the affected people.

The NAC's checklist includes: Does it discourage forced displacement? Does it minimise adverse impacts on people, habitats, environment and biodiversity? Does it minimise adverse impacts on food security by actively discouraging acquisition of agricultural land, and promoting local economies? Does it comprehensively define project affected persons/families?

It also includes: Does it provide for a just compensation and rehabilitation package, sensitive to the aspirations, culture, community, natural resource base and skill base of the affected people? Does it ensure humane, participatory, informed, consultative and transparent process? Does it provide for effective implementation?

"The test for any such legislation should be on these parameters," said the letter sent by the NAC to the government.