Congress-ruled Arunachal slams UPA's 2013 land law, describes it as 'complicated'

New Delhi, Aug 2: As the Modi government tries to muster support for its contentious land bill in the Rajya Sabha, some states ruled by opposition parties have kept up suspense over their next move but Congress-ruled Arunachal Pradesh has sprung a surprise, finding fault with the 2013 law passed by the UPA dispensation.

Going against the Congress' stand, Arunachal Pradesh has described the 2013 Act as "complicated" and which required to be revisited.

The Joint Committee of Parliament headed by BJP MP SS Ahluwalia looking into the vexed issue had, after its first meeting on May 29, asked the states to submit their views on the proposed legislation in writing.

The Congress-ruled states have written identical letters to the panel totally opposing the changes being brought in the 2013 land Act, but the party's government in Arunachal Pradesh said the 2013 law brought by the UPA was "too lengthy" and "complicated" as compared to the 1894 Act.

"The said Act requires to be revisited and reviewed to obviate, minimize and to reduce complications like involvement of external expert group for social impact assessment...there is difficulty in acquiring land under the 2013 land Act," it said in a communication to the panel.

It said because of difficulty in the acquisition process in 2013 Act, the state government acquired land for some projects under certain other regulations.

However, responses sent by over a dozen state governments make it clear that they are not backing the changes in the 2013 law.

While the government has no hope of support from Congress, Left and Trinamool Congress, it has still not given up on parties like SP, BJD, AIADMK, NCP and a few others by bringing in some changes in the draft bill.

PTI