Land bill: Govt's hopes hinges on Par panel

New Delhi: Alleging political opportunism behind Rahul Gandhi's tirade against the land bill, Government today hinged hopes on a consensus in the Joint Committee of Parliament for passage of the contentious measure and claimed Congress alone is insisting on zero amendment in the 2013 law.

Rural Development Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh also stressed that amendments were required in the 2013 law to make it functional as it was passed by UPA in haste with an eye on 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

The minister expressed readiness to accept whatever good suggestions are made in the interest of farmers through the committee headed by BJP MP SS Ahluwalia. The Union Minister's assertions have come in the wake of the government seeking to placate the Opposition on the vexed land acquisition bill by including a fresh section which will allow state governments to have provisions of consent clause and social impact assessment while implementing the law.

To help break the impasse on the Bill, the Cabinet had last week decided on adding provision to enable the states to frame and pass their own laws. Congress and some other parties have, however, spurned the move dubbing it as a new kind of conspiracy.

Asked how President Pranab Mukherjee can give assent to bills by different states on the same issue on which there is a central legislation and whether the government's idea will not lead to over-lapping, Singh said there have been precedents. No. It is not about over-lapping. States can bring some improvement in any central legislation on issues falling within the ambit of concurrent list. It is done.

The President gives assent to their laws. There are many instances, where it has happened. There are many such laws, he said, adding that the proposal will only be sent by the Central government to the President for his assent. Moreover, the President's assent will happen through us. The state government's Act goes to President through the concerned ministry.

Of course, the President is the final authority. There may also be special circumstances from state to state. If any provision is in the interest of the state, the President gives assent, he said.

Asked whether he is hopeful that the bill will be passed during the Monsoon session, Singh parried a direct answer. ``It all depends on the Joint Committee report. I feel that it will come by August 3 as the panel was given extension till then. If there is a unanimity and consensus in this report, then I think that the bill will be passed,'' he said.

Amid indications of Samajwadi Party warming up to the government, the minister indicated that barring Congress other parties are not saying no to any amendment. ``I feel that other parties may have some reservations against few things in the bill. But they are not saying do not bring any amendment in the 2013 law. Only the Congress party has this mindset,'' he said.

Singh also parried a question on whether the government will promulgate the land ordinance for the fourth time if no consensus is arrived. We will see that later. There is still time for ordinance, he said.

-PTI