In the backdrop of controversies surrounding procurement of land, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday promised enactment of a "forward looking and balanced"
law on land acquisition soon to prevent tensions over the sensitive issue.
Taking note of the tensions caused in some parts of the country because of acquisition of land for industry, infrastructure and urbanisation, the Prime Minister said the government will ensure that "no injustice is done to anyone in the process of land acquisition."
India Inc welcomes draft land acquisition Bill He said: "Our farmers have been especially affected by such acquisition. Land acquisition is no doubt necessary for projects of public interest. But it should take place in a transparent and fair manner. The interests of those whose livelihoods are dependent on the land being acquired should be fully protected."
Singh said the government wants to replace the
117-year-old land acquisition law by a new Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation law which is forward looking and balanced.
OPINION: Should states acquire land for pvt companies? "We have already prepared a draft legislation and have initiated steps to build consensus on it. We will soon introduce a Bill in Parliament to this end," he said.
The first government draft on Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill is already out for people's suggestions, while the ministry proposes to put out an additional second draft on it soon.
The drafts will then be transformed in a bill by the law department before it goes to Cabinet. After Cabinet's approval, it will go to Parliament.
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