Changes to Land Act Likely to Come up in the Winter Parliament Session
Change to Land act which has been instrumental in stalling of various real estate projects is likely to come up in the winter session of parliament. The government had promised amendments in the land acquisition act to make it balanced for both land sellers and developers. The new change to land act is likely to be finalized once the government finishes its active consultations with various stakeholders including various state governments. While there has been unanimity on the need to amend the Act, passed by the earlier Manmohan Singh lead UPA 2 government, the new government wants to ensure that farmers’ rights are protected at all costs after the proposed amendments.
The government is working out the possible amendment after talking to all concerned parties including real estate developers, land owners, farmers and the state governments to ensure everyone is brought on the same page before announcing any possible amendments. A large number of real estate projects have been stuck due to dispute on land acquisition as there has been lack of clarity of state and central government laws as per the existing land acquisition act. The government has earlier discussed the changes with revenue ministers of states on various aspects of the Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. One of the many amendments that the Centre is likely to suggest is the removal of consent clause from all PPP projects.
While some states have suggested that the rehabilitation and resettlement obligation should be removed in case the land is purchased with mutual consent by a private party, the government has suggested states to examine the definition of affected family as well as land for land provision in order to streamline its new amendment laws.
2014 Land Acquisition Act, Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Land Acquisition Act, PPP projects, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013
