Govt ignores NAC on land bill

The draft Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill being vetted by the Union law ministry maintains the 70:30 formula — a private developer has to acquire at least 70 per cent of the land, the remainder to be done by the government. This goes against the National Advisory Council proposal that the government acquire 100 per cent of land, while West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s stand is that the government should have no role whatsoever.

The draft bill further calls for valuation of land being acquired on the basis of the sixth notice issued by the competent authority in a bid to factor in the price escalation in between the fourth and sixth notices.

The National Advisory Council, however, had sought compensation at six times the registered land deed.

The draft bill also says if the acquired land is not used in five years, it should be returned to the farmers. This was also suggested by the National Advisory Council. It also calls for land owners to be given a share in the developed property, to be decided by the respective state governments.

Union rural development minister Vilasrao Deshmukh had earlier said land owners would be given an annuity, which was incorporated in the draft bill. It recommends a minimum of `1,000 per acre per month for the next 33 years to land owners.

The draft bill says barren land should be given priority whenever acquisition takes place.