Question : LAND ACQUISITION ACT

(a) whether the Bills on LandAcquisition and Rehabilitation & Resettlement have been finalised;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether suggestions have been received from various quarters to return land to the farmers if a proposed project fails to come up within five years of acquisition;

(d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereon;

(e) whether the farmers are given compensation against land as per the norms; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor and corrective measures being taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI)

(a) & (b): No, Sir.This Department is finalizing an integrated Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation & Resettlement Bill, 2011 to address various issues related to land acquisition and rehabilitation & resettlement. A draft Bill has been hosted on the website of the Department for public consultations.

(c): Yes, Sir

(d): The Government is finalizing the land Acquisition and Rehabilitation & Resettlement Bill. Suggestions from various quarters, received on the Bill will be considered by the Government.

(e): At present the compensations is given to the farmers against the land being acquired as per the norms/provisions contained in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

(f): In view of reply to (e) above, question does not arise.