BJP will first seek passage of Mines, Coal bills before land

BJP is treading cautiously on the crucial land bill and will take it up only after the passage of the Mines and Coal bills in Rajya Sabha tomorrow.
According to sources, the party will evolve its strategy on the land acquisition bill only after assessing the response of various parties on the passage of two bills on mines and coal that were sent to the Select Committees of Rajya Sabha.
The bills on mines and coal will come up tomorrow in the Upper House.
Sources said the government is bringing two official amendments in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill but there are no changes in the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill.

The Mines and Minerals Bill, if passed in Rajya Sabha after amendments, will have to go back to the Lok Sabha as the bill had earlier been passed by the lower House without the amendments in it.
Sources said that in case the Lok Sabha gives an assurance to government for its passage on Friday, there may be no need for an extension of the first part of the budget session that otherwise ends on March 20.

The government is contemplating of extension of the lower House sitting for two more days in case the need arises.
Sources said since the Land Ordinance expires on April 5 and in case the land bill is not passed, the government may have to prorogue the current session and promulgate the ordinance afresh.

Government sources said there are a number of precedents under which such a thing can be done and government claims to be on a "strong wicket" on this.
The opposition parties have come together on their opposition to the land acquisition bill and had marched in protest to Rashtrapati Bhawan yesterday.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said "my best wishes for those parties which are ready to be led by the Congress party."
He said "these parties which have marched under the leadership of Congress yesterday, they have to take the responsibility of all the ills and sins committed by the previous UPA government.