Cong asks BJP to clarify stand on land Bill

The Congress on Wednesday asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government to clarify its stand on the amendments to the land Bill that have been agreed upon in the joint committee that is scrutinising the Bill.

“Is the BJP against consent being taken from the farmers before their land is acquired? Is the BJP opposed to social impact assessment? Will the Prime Minister and the BJP give clarity on this?” said Congress spokesperson and former rural development minister Jairam Ramesh. “Leaving it to states is a cop-out. We need to know where they stand.”  Ramesh, who is also a member of the joint committee, said there was consensus on 12 out of 15 amendments. The three agreements on which there was no agreement are returning land that had been unutilised for five years; the retrospective clause (granting compensation to farmers even for the period spent in litigation); and the two-year time period to the government for making changes in the Bill. The committee is to submit its report by November this year.  The Congress apprehends the BJP might attempt to wriggle itself out claiming states can make their own laws, if they disagree with the Central government legislation.

The government would need to re-promulgate the Land Ordinance by August 31.