Centre invites suggestions on land bill

New Delhi, May 23:

The central government on Saturday invited suggestions from various public bodies, organisations, individuals as well as other stakeholders on the land acquisition bill pending in the Lok Sabha.

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Second Amendment Bill, 2015) has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee of both the houses under the chairmanship of BJP MP from West Bengal S.S. Ahluwalia.

“It has been decided to seek the views and suggestions from various public bodies, organisations, associations, individuals and other stakeholders,” an official statement said.

The current as well as the earlier 2013 bill passed by the UPA government have been uploaded on the Lok Sabha website.

“All those desirous of submitting their views or suggestions to the committee may send two copies of their written memoranda or suggestions either in English or Hindi on the subject to Joint Secretary Lok Sabha Secretariat by June 8,” the statement said.

The memoranda submitted to the committee would form part of the records of the committee and would be treated as confidential and would enjoy privilege of the committee.

The statement said those who wish to appear before the committee, besides submitting memoranda, are also requested to specifically indicate so.

The contentious land acquisition bill which sought to convert an ordinance into law had been cleared once by the Lok Sabha in the earlier part of the budget session.

However, after failing to muster support in the Rajya Sabha, the government was forced to re-promulgate the ordinance in April.

Following this, the bill was again introduced in the Lok Sabha in the second part of the budget session and then referred to a joint committee of both the houses. (IANS)