5 amendments suggested by BJP, Left to land bill get govt nod

Five key amendments suggested by BJP and Left parties to the Land Acquisition Bill today got the government's approval amid its efforts to create broad- based political consensus on the key legislation.
The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 along with amendments will be taken up for consideration in Lok Sabha next Tuesday.
Among the amendments approved by Cabinet was the one suggested by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj that instead of acquisition, the land could be leased to developers so that its ownership will remain with the farmers and would provide them with regular annual income.

Swaraj had also suggested a provision for payment of 50 per cent compensation to the original farmers whose land has been purchased after the introduction of the bill in Lok Sabha in September 5, 2011.
Moving out of its way to create political consensus on the bill, the Cabinet also agreed to this important suggestion.
The Cabinet also approved three other amendments suggested by Left parties.

This will be moved as official amendments, sources said.
When contacted, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said, "We are working our best to create an all party consensus. We are working hard to ensure the bill get passed with the cooperation of all parties in this session of Parliament."

Government had clinched a "broad consensus" in an all- party meeting held in April on the contentious bill.
The bill, which seeks to address the problems of industry in land acquisition for projects, provides for compensation to landowners in rural and urban areas, with a stipulation that the consent of 80 per cent of the people be necessary for acquiring land for private industry.