PPP, pvt projects may get breather in revised Land Acq Bill

The public-private partnership and private projects can breathe easy as source tell CNBC-TV18 that the Cabinet note on the revised Land Acquisition Bill states that the government will be entrusted with the task of acquiring land.

A comprehensive Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill is among the 31 Bills the government has lined up for consideration and passing during the monsoon session of Parliament, scheduled to begin from August 8. The session will conclude on September 7.

The Bill was introduced in Parliament in September last year and was referred to a parliamentary standing committee, which submitted its recommendation in May this year. The objective of the bill is to ensure transparent process for land acquisition and provide just and fair compensation to the affected families whose land has been acquired.

The standing committee has asked the government not to acquire land for public-private partnership and private projects. Sources say the government will acquire land for PPP and private prohects post the 80% consent norm.

According to the recommendations, 80% consent should be a must from project affected families. Also, the PPP and private projects should be for production of public goods and services.

The government will have power to add to definition of infrastructure projects.