Question : AMENDMENT IN LAND ACQUISITION LAW

(a) whether the Union Government proposes to review and make changes in the land acquisition law so as to kick start sta- lled development projects and to remove the investment bott- lenecks;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor and details of the provisions likely to be changed and the time frame for the same;

(c) whether the Union Government has invited the suggestions of the State Governments in the matter and if so, the details thereof and the suggestions made by the State Governments thereon;

(d) whether the Union Government proposes to incorporate these suggestions in the existing law and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the provision for employment to the person whose land is acquired is also included in the said proposal and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the other steps taken by the Union Government to safeguard the interests of the farmers in this regard?

MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI BIRENDER SINGH)

(a) to (f) Some State Governments and other stakeholders have raised concerns on certain provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 which inter-alia include mandatory Social Impact Assessment in all cases of land acquisition, consent requirement in case of acquisition for private companies and Public Private Partnership projects, special powers in case of urgency to acquire land, development of culturable wasteland in lieu of acquisition of multi-cropped irrigated land, Rehabi- litation and Resettlement provisions in case of purchase through private negotiations, retrospective clause etc. These are being examined.