Main features of land acquisition finalised

Original clause of seeking consent of 80% land losers in land acquisition retained

The main features of the land acquisition bill have been finalized, the government sources said today. The most significant change being that the original clause of seeking consent from 80 per cent of the land losers in land acquisition for private purpose been retained. However, acquisition of land for ‘public purpose’ either by government or private parties or PPP will require no consent.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, heading the Group of Ministers (GoM)had a meeting with rural development minister Jairam Ramesh today . Main points were agreed upon and theses would be shared by other 14 GoM members, while the bill is likely to come to cabinet in a week’s time.

The bill would come into force from the day it is notified. If projects have pending payments then the state will decide if provisions of new bill would apply, sources said.