Joint parliamentary panel on land bill granted extension

Panel chairman S S Ahluwalia (BJP) moved a motion in the Lok Sabha to grant time to the committee till the first week of the Monsoon Session, which was passed by a voice vote. Normally, the Monsoon Session begins in July end.  

“That this House do extend time for presentation of the Report of the Joint Committee on the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 until the last day of the first week of the Monsoon Session, 2016,” the resolution read. 

At its meeting on Monday, the panel had decided to seek a fresh extension as members noted that several states have not furnished details on the status of land acquisition proceedings that have lapsed or may lapse in terms of Section 24(2) of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. 

The land acquisition law of 2013 had become applicable for national highway projects from January 2015 and there has been a large number of disputes by affected owners, who were seeking higher compensation. Section 24(I) of the new land acquisition law makes land owners eligible for higher compensation, where land proceedings have been initiated as per the earlier provisions, but majority of them have not received compensation. 

The term of the committee came to an end today, the last day of the first part of the Budget Session. The last extension Ahluwalia had sought was on December 23 last. Earlier, its term was extended on November 30 by the Lok Sabha till the last day of the Winter Session.