Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Wednesday said that the proposed amendments in the land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 will pave way for the country’s progress and development.He asserted that the existing Act has been hampering the development process of the country and the proposed amendment will open up new avenues of growth for states like Chhattisgarh where average in national highways, railways and irrigation was less than the national average.
In the meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss the proposed amendments in the land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, Singh offered full support to amendments in land acquisition bill and said that projects, which are vital to national security, development of rural infrastructure, affordable housing for poor, setting up of industrial corridors and infrastructure projects, have been exempted from taking approval from the affected families under section 10 (A) of the amendment bill.
He said that the proposed amendment will be in larger public interest as these projects will contribute in generating employment opportunities, strengthening financial development and creating welfare schemes.Raman Singh said that interest of the affected people will be protected, as provision of accessing social effect of the project before acquiring land will not be omitted from the amendment bill.
He also said that the definition of ‘affected families’ has been amended in the bill, bringing in farm labourer, whose land has been acquired, under the category of affected families and ensuring rehabilitation for them.Welcoming the amendment of holding hearings for settlement of objections against land acquisition award in the district where the land acquisition has taken place, Singh said that the new mechanism will benefit farmers.
He termed the amendment in provision of returning the acquired land if not used in five years as ‘practical’.The Chief Minister said that the provision in 2013 act was very ‘impractical’ as sometimes projects get delayed due to reasons beyond the control of State governments or investors.Singh also supported amendment in various laws enabling similarity in fixing compensation for acquired land.He said that the Centre has tried to create a balance between development and process with the help of land bill and also ensured interest of farmers.
The bill focusses on easing difficulties of farmers whose land has been acquired and getting them higher compensation for the land, he said.CM praised the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said the country will now achieve new heights of development. Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand was present at the meeting.In the meeting, the Prime Minister reiterated the vision of his Government, that state units should be the focus of all development efforts, as part of "Team India."
He recalled that Chief Ministers had always felt that development policies at the Centre should be framed in consultation with the States.Modi said that the last one year had been a good beginning, with States being taken on board in the planning process, and State Chief Ministers taking the lead in sub-groups of the NITI Aayog.
The Prime Minister said that after formation of his Government, several States had raised concerns with regard to the implementation of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.He said many States had felt that development work was suffering due to the provisions of the 2013 Act; and some Chief Ministers had requested for changes in the Act, and sent letters to this effect.
The Prime Minister said that the Ordinance was brought about in response to these development concerns of the States, and also to ensure that farmers continue to receive their legitimate due.The Prime Minister appealed to everyone that political considerations should not come in the way of a solution that would facilitate development of the rural areas, and greater prosperity for the farmers.
He said the matter is now before the Parliamentary Standing Committee, and therefore, ahead of the upcoming Parliament session, it was appropriate that the suggestions of States be listened to, once again.In conclusion, the Prime Minister thanked the Chief Ministers for their participation, and said their suggestions would be welcomed.