Land Acquisition Bill passed; 70% of owners' consent mandatory for PPP

New Delhi, Sept 5: After much of debate and discussions, the

Acquisition Bill was passed by the

on Wednesday even as the BJP expressed reservations and concerns about some of its provisions. Government argued that it was a necessary legislation and should not be considered a vote-gainer.

The bill says that a mandatory consent of at least 70% of landowners for acquiring land for public private partnership (PPP) projects and 80% for private firms.

TOI reported that the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2012, was passed by Lok Sabha last week and was approved by the upper House by majority votes. This new law will apply to all upcoming SEZs.

Consent of at least 70% of landowners mandatory for setting PPP projects

Replying to a debate on the bill, rural development minister Jairam Ramesh said the government was only walking the middle path between industrialization and benefits for farmers and tribals. "It is wrong to say compensation of the acquired land will be paid only to owners of the land. The bill envisages compensation also to those who will lose their livelihoods from any land acquisition,'' Ramesh said.

The bill will replace the archaic Act of 1894 which suffers from various shortcomings including silence on the issue of resettlement and rehabilitation of those displaced due to acquisition.

OneIndia News