Question : SIMPLIFICATION OF LAND CLEARANCE PROCEDURE

(a) whether the Government proposes to simplify and minimize the statutory permission requirements and clearances for land requirement for various projects in view of opening up the economy for foreign investors, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether land acquisition law has come under criticism from different quarters;

(c) if so, the main reasons advanced by different organizations and stakeholders in land acquisition law;

(d) whether the Government has undertaken any social impact assessment of the said law; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and steps taken or being taken by the Government to fine tune the law keeping in view the views expressed by NGOs, farmers in print and electronic media?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

(a) to (e): The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement Act, 2013 came into force on 01.01.2014. It was reported by many State Governments and Government of India agencies that some provisions of the Act were making the implementation of the Act difficult and it was necessary to make changes in the Act, while safeguarding the interest of the farmers and affected families in cases of land acquisition. Accordingly, a Conference of State Revenue Ministers was organized on 27th June, 2014. The suggestions received from the State Governments, Union Territories, Ministries /Departments and other stakeholders were considered. Further, consultation with Secretaries and officers of concerned Ministries administering the Acts mentioned in the Fourth Schedule of the Act was held on 21.10.2014. Based on these discussions and deliberations, some amendments were proposed in the Act. As the Parliament was not in session and immediate action was required to be taken by the Central Government to make applicable the provisions relating to compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement of the said Act to the thirteen Acts mentioned in the Fourth Schedule and to expedite the process of land acquisition, the President was pleased to promulgate the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014 (No. 9 of 2014) on 31st December, 2014. This was done with a view to make applicable the provisions relating to compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement of the said Act to the thirteen Acts mentioned in the Fourth Schedule of the said Act and to expedite the process of land acquisition. During the current Session of the Parliament, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, 2015 was introduced in Lok Sabha which has been passed by Lok Sabha on 10.03.2015.