Suggestions invited on Land Acquisition Bill, 2015 by 8th June

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Second Amendment Bill, 2015) pending in the Lok Sabha has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee of both the Houses under the Chairmanship of Shri S.S.Ahluwalia, M.P. for examination and presenting a Report to the Parliament.

It has been decided to seek the views and suggestions from various public bodies, organizations, associations, individuals and other stakeholders. The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 and the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Second Amendment Bill, 2015) have been uploaded on the Lok Sabha Website (http://164.100.47.134/committee/other commiittees.aspx).

All those desirous of submitting their views/suggestions to the Committee may send two copies of their written Memoranda/suggestions either in English or Hindi on the subject to Joint Secretary(RS), Lok Sabha Secretariat, Room No. 328, Third Floor, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi-110001 or Fax at 23018865 or e-mail them atjc.landbill@sansad.nic.in by 8th June, 2015.

The Memoranda submitted to the Committee would form part of the records of the Committee and would be treated as Confidential and would enjoy privilege of the Committee. Those who wish to appear before the Committee, besides submitting Memoranda, are also requested to specifically indicate so. However, the Committee’s decision in this regard shall be final. -PIB

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Land Acquisition Norms Amended, Welcome Step: Niranjan Hiranandani

Land Acquisition Norms Amended, Welcome Step: Niranjan Hiranandani

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

The Indian Government has taken a welcome step on the issue of land acquisition norms, said Niranjan Hiranandani, MD, Hiranandani Constructions Pvt. Ltd. (HCPL). He was reacting to media reports about the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 29 December having approved certain amendments in the land acquisition norms. These seek to fast-track the purchase process of land, while bringing more projects under the provisions of rehabilitation and compensation of land owners.

“While the amendment has the potential to give a boost to affordable housing, it will also facilitate a scenario where infrastructure projects will be fast-tracked. For ‘Affordable Housing’ to become a reality, it will need time bound land acquisition and creation of infrastructure, which the amendment will facilitate. What is most important is that the amendment does not impact the compensation to farmers, while it ensures time-bound acquisition, it remains ‘Socially Correct’ while also being ‘Business Friendly’,” said Niranjan Hiranandani.

The amendments relate to Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, pointed out Niranjan Hiranandani, adding that while the Act came into effect from January 1, 2014; stakeholders faced difficulties in its implementation. “Among the welcome changes that the amendment brings about relates to faster processing. The Act resulted in a ‘prolonged’ process for land acquisition, and created a situation where the farmer was able to get benefit; nor could the project be completed in time for the benefit of society at large, explained Niranjan Hiranandani.

The amendments allow a fast track process for (i) defence and defence production, (ii) rural infrastructure including electrification, (iii) housing for poor including affordable housing, (iv) industrial corridors and (v) infrastructure projects; including projects taken up under Public Private Partnership mode where ownership of the land continues to be vested with the government. These projects would not need to seek the consent of 80 per cent of the affected landowners.

On the impact this would have on ‘affordable housing’, Niranjan Hiranandani pointed out that while it was clear that compensation to farmers would be high, it was obvious that the government intends to acquire land in areas where land prices are not high; and new infrastructure would be created to develop linkages to such new areas. “So, what we will see is locations which are situated at some distance from the Central Business Districts (CBDs); where new infrastructure will ensure better standards of living plus high speed transport to work places.

If one considers the concept of ‘Smart Cities’, it is obviously new areas where these will be developed – and the amended norms will help facilitate the same. If one looks at the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) for instance, the existing local train network has extended the ‘location’ of affordable housing to locations in the Vasai-Virar Region and the Karjat-Panvel Region. Infrastructure development in form of new, high-speed transport options like the Metro and new road links would create a similar situation for locations beyond Panvel and in the periphery of Alibaug; a major infrastructure project like the trans-harbour sea link between Sewree and Nhava would also make affordable housing a reality in these locations,” explained Niranjan Hiranandani.

The positive effect of the amendment, said Niranjan Hiranandani, would be visible as regards infrastructure growth. “The amendments will kick-start hundreds of billions of dollars in stalled projects,” he said. Pointing out that restrictions on buying land was among the barriers holding up projects worth almost US$ 300 billion in various sectors, Niranjan Hiranandani pointed out that about 50 per cent of China's economic growth was not just due to manufacturing; but also a result of the urban housing revolution. “As a result of the amendment, in India too, the multiplier effect on GDP will happen due to volumes in housing unit production, and this will enhance economic growth,” he concluded.

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All Party Meet Approves Land Bill

In a significant move, the all-party meeting called by ruling party - UPA over the Land Acquisition bill was a big success, as the parties those were opposing the bill have agreed to support in the Parliament.

The BJP had asked suggest to have land leasing policy for setting project on private land instead of land acquisition. The all party meeting called by the government to sort our difference over the bill was ended in happy note which was in the interest of farmers.

The land acquisition has been the major concern for both the land-lords and the companies those have vision to set forth their project on the private lands.

In past many incidents have taken place and most them truned into bloody battle field over the land acquision for setting up projects.

Now the bill would address the concerns for industrialists and farmer over land acquisition. Once the bill is passed in the Parliament, it would be enacted into law, making the process more easier.

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Cabinet clears Land Acquisition Bill

In a significant development, the Union Cabinet on Monday cleared the much awaited  Land Acquisition Bill. The bill will be tabled in the Parliament on Wednesday. However, the states will enjoy their own laws over the land acquisition.

It was reported Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill and the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill will be useful in checking the forceful and illegal land acquisition in the country. The chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee had opposed the bill but now approved it.

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