Union Minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday claimed the just-enacted land Acquisition Bill will help to a great extent in tackling the problem of Naxalism in the country.
While talking to media persons here at the State Congress headquarters, Ramesh said, “The new law would help in solving the Naxal problem to a great extent as it (Naxalism) is basically associated with the issue of land and forest rights.”
In Madhya Pradesh alone, nearly 10 districts are affected by Maoist activities and the landmark legislation will help in effectively tackling the issue, the Rural Development Minister said.
However, the fact is that there are only three districts- Balaghat, Mandla and Dindori are Maoist infested, as per the records of police. Madhya Pradesh police had been demanding that 10 districts should be declared Maoist infested, but the Centre is not paying any heed.
Ramesh further said that for the first time, the issue of rehabilitation and resettlement has been clearly defined in the bill, passed by Parliament last month. This will ensure adequate compensation for those whose lands would be acquired, he maintained.
To a question, he said after the law comes into force, land prices will certainly go up in the country.
On the suggestion of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a number of measures were incorporated in the bill regarding irrigation projects, Ramesh said.
The path-breaking bill seeks to provide just and fair compensation to farmers while ensuring that no land can be acquired forcibly.
It stipulates mandatory consent of at least 70 per cent for acquiring land for Public Private Partnership projects and 80 per cent for acquiring land for private companies.
He told that after RTI, MNREGA, Forest land rights Act, RTE and Food Security Act, this new Act is the sixth milestone decision of the UPA government.