Land bill amendments in larger public interest: Raman Singh

The proposed amendments in the land acquisition bill will be in larger public interest and will contribute in generating employment opportunities and strengthening financial development, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said here today.
He said the existing Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 has been hampering the development process of the country and the proposed amendment will open up new avenues of growth for states like Chhattisgarh where average in national highways, railways and irrigation was less than the national average.
Speaking in support of amendment in the proposed legislation during Niti Aayog's Governing Council meeting, the chief minister said that projects vital to national security, development of rural infrastructure, affordable housing for poor, setting up of industrial corridors and infrastructure projects have been exempted from taking approval from the affected families under section 10 (A) of the amendment bill.

"The proposed amendment will be in larger public interest as these projects will contribute in generating employment opportunities, strengthening financial development and creating welfare schemes," a press release issued by the state government quoted Singh as saying.
He said interest of the affected people will be protected as provision of accessing social effect of the project before acquiring land will remain present in the amendment bill.
Singh said definition of 'affected families' has been amended in the bill, bringing in farm labourer, whose land has been acquired, under the category of affected families and ensuring rehabilitation for them.

Terming as 'practical' amendment in provision of returning the acquired land if not used in five years, he said that the provision in 2013 Act was very "impractical" as sometimes projects get delayed due to reasons beyond control of state governments or investors.

Singh also supported amendment in various laws enabling similarity in fixing compensation for acquired land. He said that the Centre has tried to create a balance between development and process with the help of land bill and also ensured interest of farmers.
The bill focuses on easing difficulties of farmers whose land has been acquired and getting them higher compensation for the land, the Chief Minister of BJP-ruled state said.