The government is waiting for the Bengal elections to get over after which they are expected to take a call on the bill in consultation with the Trinamool chief.
Even as farmers in Uttar Pradesh protest for adequate compensation land acquired from them, a bill to streamline land acquisition is awaiting clearance.
The UPA-II government is waiting for an appropriate political atmosphere to bring the Land Acquisition bill, which hopefully would put an end to recurring farmer unrests arising out of poor compensation.
The proposed bill aims to provide compensation at market rate and a job for one family member in the project. In case, the project failed to take off, land ownership would be returned to the farmer.
Also, additional cost of resettlement would be paid as rehabilitation and resettlement cost to affected persons.
But despite a number of pro-people and liberal initiatives, the bill has not been able to move an inch because of non-availability of Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee.
After leading Nandigram and Singur agitations, Mamata is strongly opposed to the bill in its present form. She has strong reservations over the present land acquisition policy, according to which the government would acquire 30% of the land while private parties would be allowed to acquire the remaining 70%.
Opposed to this ratio, the Trinamool chief says acquisition should be done mainly by private parties in the 90:10 ratio so that landowners can negotiate a better deal.
However, the fiery leader, who had once walked out of the cabinet meeting in a huff over the issue, is learnt to have now toned down.
“Any decision can be taken only after the WB polls. The Centre is waiting for an appropriate political atmosphere,” said an official.
The proposed bill also provides that the government should pay over 50% of the cost of land — a price to be determined by sale in the area over the last three years. In case the government has to acquire land in emergency then the solatium should be more than 75% of the current rate.
In order to have a comprehensive bill, the government has taken suggestions of the civil society and the National Advisory Council. The suggestions have been incorporated in the draft bill and sent to the prime minister’s office. Any decision would be taken only after taking Mamata’s views.
The bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha during UPA-I tenure. But after the House was dissolved due to general elections, the bill lapsed.
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