PM-headed meet on Land Bill boycotted by 13 states

Other states suggest consensus or flexibility on the bill

Chief  ministers of more than half the states on Wednesday suggested that the Centre evolve a consensus on Land Bill or give flexibility to states to frame their own laws.

However, the opposition to the amendments to the land law on political lines was quite evident as 13 of 29 states did not attend the meeting of the NITI Aayog governing council, chaired by PM today. These comprised nine Congress-ruled states, Uttar Pradesh West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.

Congress leaders had earlier said the party chief ministers would not attend the meeting to check the government from pushing ahead with the controversial bill.

Many of those who attended the meeting told  the Centre that delay in enacting the proposed changes in the Act is affecting development projects in the states.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, finance minister Arun Jaitly said the Centre can't keep working at a consensus on the bill indefinitely.

The meeting of the NITI Aayog's Governing Council, was, however, attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, besides those from NDA-ruled states. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was among those who attended the meeting.