Parliamentary Standing committee invites suggestions from people

New Delhi, Jan 3 (UNI) The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development has invited suggestions on "The Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2007 and 'The Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2007'" from the public in general and experts, professionals, organisations, associations, and stakeholders interested in the subject in particular.

The 'Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2007' and the 'Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2007' as introduced in the Lok Sabha have been referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development headed by Kalyan Singh, MP, Lok Sabha, for examination and report to the Parliament.

The Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2007 seeks to amend the various provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 with a view to strike a balance between the need of land for development and other purposes and protecting the interests of the persons whose lands are statutorily acquired.

Besides, the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2007 is an attempt to give a statutory backing to the provisions of the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2007. The said legislation proposes to provide the bare minimum that all projects, leading to involuntary displacement, must do to address the grievances of the affected people.

The bill also contains a saving clause to enable the state governments, Public Sector Undertakings or agencies, or other requiring bodies to continue to provide greater benefit levels than those prescribed under the Bill.

Interested people can send five copies of the memoranda (in English or Hindi versions only) containing their opinion or views on the subject to the Director, Lok Sabha Secretariat on or before January 15, 2008.

Those who are desirous of giving oral evidence can do so before the Committee.

The memoranda, which might be submitted to the Committee will form part of the records of the Committee and will be treated as strictly confidential and will not be circulated by anyone, as such an act will constitute breach of privilege of the Committee, the release added.

UNI BKS PDT GC1938