Land Acquisition Bill can reduce naxal influence: Ramesh

Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh today said the passage of landmark Land Acquisition Bill could gradually eliminate naxal influence in tribal-dominated areas.

"Naxalites are holding their influence in tribal areas on the issues of forest and land. In the new Land Acquisition Bill various options are made available for farmers, tribals and others. Considering this we can hope that the influence of naxals among them will gradually wane," Ramesh said.

The Land Acquisition Bill was passed recently by Parliament. It seeks to provide fair and just compensation to farmers and to those who lose livelihood on account of acquisition.

The bill stipulates mandatory consent of at least 70 per cent for acquiring land for Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects and 80 per cent for acquiring land for private firms.

Ramesh said the Bill will soon become an act.

He said Acts like Right to Information Act, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Forest Rights Act, Right to Education Act and Food Security Bill are proving milestones.