Kolkata: Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh seems to have cleared the first major hurdle in turning his draft Land Acquisition Bill into reality.
Mr Ramesh, who assumed charge of the ministry barely three weeks ago, met West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday to explain the finer points of the Draft Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill. And Ms Banerjee seems to have given her initial nod to the draft bill.
"We will study and react to this...but I am happy with Ramesh's draft", said Ms Banerjee.
That should come as a huge relief for the government considering Ms Banerjee has, in the past, opposed the previous versions of the Bill. Not surprising then, that Mr Ramesh chose Ms Banerjee's residence as the first stop to seek consensus for the crucial and controversial Bill.
The meeting, held a day after the government made public the draft of the Land Acquisition Bill, is being seen as an attempt to woo Ms Banerjee. The current draft of the Bill allows state governments to acquire land for private players if the project in question serves a defined public purpose.
In the recent past, the West Bengal Chief Minister has made it clear that she sees no role for the government on this issue.
But both leaders appeared to have achieved a common ground over the provisions of the Bill.
"Public purpose should mean some essential government purpose. Something that is very important. In that case, the Bill says government can acquire land", said Ms Banerjee.
"I told her that her concerns have been addressed. She hasn't read the draft, but broadly she appears to be in sympathy with it," said Mr Ramesh.
The draft Bill also states that those seeking rural areas for private projects will have to provide compensation at almost six times the cost of the land. For urban areas, the compensation is to be twice that of the current market rate. If the land is not used for five years, it will then have to be given back to the original owners.
The Bill was originally supposed to be introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament. However, it will have to wait till the winter session, as it will not be able to meet its deadline.
Mr Ramesh, who assumed charge of the ministry barely three weeks ago, met West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday to explain the finer points of the Draft Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill. And Ms Banerjee seems to have given her initial nod to the draft bill.
"We will study and react to this...but I am happy with Ramesh's draft", said Ms Banerjee.
That should come as a huge relief for the government considering Ms Banerjee has, in the past, opposed the previous versions of the Bill. Not surprising then, that Mr Ramesh chose Ms Banerjee's residence as the first stop to seek consensus for the crucial and controversial Bill.
The meeting, held a day after the government made public the draft of the Land Acquisition Bill, is being seen as an attempt to woo Ms Banerjee. The current draft of the Bill allows state governments to acquire land for private players if the project in question serves a defined public purpose.
In the recent past, the West Bengal Chief Minister has made it clear that she sees no role for the government on this issue.
But both leaders appeared to have achieved a common ground over the provisions of the Bill.
"Public purpose should mean some essential government purpose. Something that is very important. In that case, the Bill says government can acquire land", said Ms Banerjee.
"I told her that her concerns have been addressed. She hasn't read the draft, but broadly she appears to be in sympathy with it," said Mr Ramesh.
The draft Bill also states that those seeking rural areas for private projects will have to provide compensation at almost six times the cost of the land. For urban areas, the compensation is to be twice that of the current market rate. If the land is not used for five years, it will then have to be given back to the original owners.
The Bill was originally supposed to be introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament. However, it will have to wait till the winter session, as it will not be able to meet its deadline.
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