Jairam orders new legislation on land acquisition bill

New Delhi, Jul 14: The former minister of state for environment Jairam Ramesh, who has been promoted as Cabinet minister and moved to the rural development ministry seems to follow Rahul Gandhi's pet agenda of land acquisition bill. On his first day itself he had ordered a fresh legislation to be drafted on land acquisition. He has directed his officials to prepare just one draft law incorporating provisions for both land acquisition as well as resettlement and rehabilitation of people whose land is taken away.

"Our first step is to work on the land acquisition bill in the monsoon session itself. We will put out a draft bill for public consultation and this will be targeted for the middle of next week," he said.

Accepting NAC's recommendations on the bill, he stressed on the fact that the new law is for "public purpose". “It is not just compensation to landowners; the more important issue is to compensate those whose livelihood depends on the land being acquired. This is the most important matter. Compensation is the second most important issue," he added.

Following the similar issue, Law Minister, Salman Khursheed has also targeted land acquisitions in Uttar Pradesh that might lead to a clash with CM Mayawati.

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