Govt. Willing Further Amendments In Land Bill on Suggestions Of Opposition: Venkaiah Naidu

09 March, New Delhi

The government has said that it is willing to consider further amendments in the Land Acquisition Bill based on the suggestions of the Opposition.

Intervening in the debate on the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said, the Centre could consider deleting social infrastructure projects from the exempted categories.

Naidu said, the Rural Development Minister will come forward with official amendments in this context. During his 40-minutes intervention, the Minister asserted that government’s decision to issue an ordinance was not unilateral but based on the suggestions and views of the States.

Naidu said, the government has proposed some amendments to the Land Act of 2015 to felicitate development without compromising on the remuneration of four times the market value to be paid to land owners against acquisition of their land.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said, the amendments have been proposed keeping in view the interest of rural people and farmers and infrastructure development will significantly enhance the land value benefiting farmers.

Reacting to demand of Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to refer the Bill to the Standing Committee, Mr Naidu said, the available time may not permit it as the ordinance is to be replaced by an Act by 20th of this month.

Denouncing the disinformation campaign that the government is pro-corporates, he said, Narendra Modi government is for the poor, farmers, women, weaker section and youth and will not do anything against their interests.