Prime Minister Shri.Narendra Modi said that the Land Ordinance will not be re-promulgated after the existing one lapses on Monday. However, 13 exempted pieces of legislation have been brought within the ambit of Land Act of 2013 through an executive order, so that farmers do not suffer.
“It means the situation (Land Act of 2013) before my government took over has been restored,” Modi said in his 11th edition of radio broadcast ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday.
This announcement about no re-promulgation of ordinance will also help the government not to rush to prorogue the House, which will keep open the window for passage of the GST (Goods and Service Tax) related Constitution Amendment Bill.
For farmers’ benefit
He stressed that his government is ready to amend the Land Acquisition Act to benefit the farmers, who have been misinformed and are having apprehensions about the law.
Modi said the government has issued an executive order to cover all the 13 Acts under the 2013 Land Act so that the farmers don’t suffer nor face any economic loss.
The first formal indication that the Ordinance, which was first promulgated in December, will not be re-promulgated came on August 28 when the government issued an executive order to ensure that land acquired under 13 Acts get the same compensation as available for others. These 13 Acts prescribe acquisition of land for, among others, highways, metro, Railways and mining, and were exempted from the purview of the Land Act 2013 with the condition that they would be included within one year.
Turns controversial
The NDA government brought the ordinance to ensure compensation up to four times the market value in rural areas and twice the market value of land in urban areas beside rehabilitation and resettlement benefits not only for land losers but also for livelihood losers for land acquired under the 13 Acts.
However, the ordinance became controversial after many more changes were made in the Land Act 2013 apart from bringing 13 Acts within it.
It also prescribed the removal of consent clause for acquiring land for five areas — industrial corridors, public private partnership (PPP) projects, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and defence.
However, the Government could not gather support to get this ordinance replaced by a new law.
The Prime Minister assured that farmers’ voice will be heard in amending the land law. “I would like to assure all our farmers that for us ‘Jai Jawaan-Jai Kissan’ is not just a slogan, but a mantra for welfare of villages, farmers and the poor. Now there should not be any reason for fear and misunderstanding among the farmers.”
(Source Delhi Agent)
Prasanta Patnaik