UPA govt passed land Bill in haste: Birender Singh

Alleging “political opportunism” behind Rahul Gandhi’s tirade against the land Bill, the government on Sunday hoped for a “consensus” in Parliament for passage of the contentious measure and claimed the Congress alone in insisting on zero amendment in the 2013 law. In an interview to PTI, Rural Development Minister Birender Singh stressed that amendments were required in the 2013 law to make it functional, as it was passed by the United Progressive Alliance in “haste” with an eye on the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

The minister expressed readiness to accept “good suggestions made in the interest of farmers” through the committee examining it headed by Bharatiya Janata Party member S S Ahluwalia. The Union minister’s assertions came in the wake of the government seeking to placate the opposition on the Bill by including a fresh section to allow states to have provisions on a consent clause and social impact assessment while implementing it. To break the impasse on the Bill, the Cabinet had last week decided on adding  the provision to enable states to frame and pass their own laws.

The Congress and some other parties have spurned the move as a “new kind of conspiracy.”

Asked how President Pranab Mukherjee could give assent to Bills by different states on the same issue on which there is a central legislation and whether the government’s idea could not lead to over-lapping, Singh said, “no. It is not about over-lapping. States can bring some improvement in any central legislation on issues falling within the ambit of the concurrent list. It is done. The President gives assent to their laws. There are many instances, where it has happened. There are many such laws,” adding the proposal will only be sent by the Centre to the President for his assent.

“Moreover, the President’s assent will happen through us. The state government’s Act goes to President through the concerned ministry. Of course, the President is the final authority. There may also be special circumstances from state to state. If any provision is in the interest of the state, the President gives assent,” he said.

Asked whether he is hopeful that the Bill will be passed during the Monsoon session, Singh parried a direct answer.

“It all depends on the joint committee report. I feel that it will come by August 3 as the panel was given extension till then. If there is a unanimity and consensus in this report, then I think that the Bill will be passed,” he said.

Amid indications of Samajwadi Party warming up to the government, the minister indicated that barring Congress other parties are not saying no to any amendment.

"I feel that other parties may have some reservations against few things in the bill. But they are not saying do not bring any amendment in the 2013 law. Only the Congress party has this mindset," he said.

Singh also parried a question on whether the government will promulgate the land ordinance for the fourth time if no consensus is arrived.

"We will see that later. There is still time for ordinance," he said.