In the wake of the controversial land acquisition bids the Centre introduced two bills in the Lok Sabha seeking to do away with compulsory land acquisition.
In the wake of Nandigram, Posco, two bills introduced in Lok Sabha
NEW DELHI: In the wake of the controversial land acquisition bids in Singur, Nandigram (West Bengal), Posco (Orissa) and the SEZ of Reliance Industries in Maharashtra, the Centre introduced two bills in the Lok Sabha on Thursday seeking to do away with compulsory land acquisition for such projects.
Plans are afoot to establish a Land Acquisition Compensation Disputes Settlement Authority for the Centre to exercise jurisdiction, powers and authority to ensure speedy disposal of disputes relating to land-acquisition compensations.
The authority, also called an Ombudsman, will be responsible for “time-bound disposal of grievances arising out of matters covered under the Act. Any aggrieved person can move a petition before the Ombudsman.
The Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2007, for amending the existing the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, will ensure that a fair compensation at market value is paid to those whose sites are acquired.
The bill would make it difficult for those who acquire land for a particular purpose and use it for something else making huge commercial gains in the bargain. The second bill has been brought to provide teeth to the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2007, so that the provisions for relief to those displaced can be strictly implemented.
“The existing Act was found to be inadequate in addressing certain issues related to the exercise of the statutory powers of the state for involuntary acquisition of private land and property,” the bill inter alia says.
Rural development minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh introduced the bills amid din on the Babri Masjid issue. Sources said the bills will be taken up for consideration and passing in the budget session.
k_benedict@dnaindia.net
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