Cabinet approves amendment to Land Acquisition Act

The Union Cabinet on Monday approved the amendment of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013, stating that the owners of land acquired via laws exempted under the act will now be eligible for a similar compensation.

"The Cabinet recommended to the President the promulgation of an ordinance to amend the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013. The urgency with this decision stems from Section 105 of the Act, in which 13 schedule four laws were exempt from the Act," Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told the media.

Speaking on why the decision to amend the Act was taken, Jaitley said that the resolution was made after keeping in mind the interest of the farmers.

"Which provision of this Act is to be applied to the exempted Acts was a question. Another question that was raised that there was an impression created after extensive consultations with state governments and other stakeholders with regards to the process of the acquisition. The priority of the government was that the interest of the farmers whose land is likely to be acquired is also paramount. At the same time, it has to be balanced by the developmental needs of the society," he said.

"Keeping this in mind, there are two important decisions in this ordinance with regards to keeping the interest of the farmers in mind. The provisions relating to the payment of higher compensation, relief and rehabilitation will remain untouched. With the amendment of Section 105, the land that is acquired via the exempted 13 Acts will also receive the same compensation, relief and rehabilitation," he added.

Jaitley also stated that the Cabinet has extended the date for the regularisation of unauthorised colonies in the national capital.

"The cut-off date for the regularisation of unauthorised colonies in New Delhi, which was earlier March 31, 2002, has been extended to June 1, 2014. By this extension, 895 colonies and 60 lakh people shall benefit. The residents in these areas will also benefit from other development and infrastructural procedures," he stated.