The draft of the revised Bill on Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement was finalized as the Union Ministry of Rural Developments promised to return the land to the farmer if a proposed project fails to come up within five years of acquisition.

The Bill has been sent to the Ministry of Law for its approval and expects to the put the bills for Cabinet’s consideration within a fortnight.

Mr. Deshmukh, Minister for Rural Development, said the priority was to protect the interest of the farmers and the land acquired by the farmers would be returned if a project failed to take off within five years of the acquisition.

The new provision would also apply to private enterprise sponsored projects, if part of the land is held by the State. At present, the private players retain the land, if it’s not used for the project. Excess portion of land acquired will also be returned back to the farmers, according to the new provision.

Moreover, the private players who seek assistance of the government for acquisition would have to abide by the same rehabilitation and resettlement provisions. However, Mr. Deshmukh feared that those who directly negotiated the sale would demand the same package of relief.

Private players would be expected to employ each family whose land was acquired or pay Rs. 5 Lakh as compensation.

Report by Sumit