September 13, 2010
Scrap 1894 Act altogether to frame a new law, says Trinamool Chief
Mamata Banerjee is not happy with just an amendment to the Land Acquisition Bill, 1894. The Trinamool Congress chief wants the existing law to be scrapped altogether, and a new law to be put in place that will protect the interest of the farmers. A proposal regarding this has been submitted to the Centre. To her close aides in the party, the trinamool chief has described the 1894 act as “draconian and colonial”. Trinamool Congress is against the state governments move to acquire land on behalf of private companies. The Trinamool supremo does not want the government to play any role in the process. She wants the law to make sure that there should be a clear definition of “public purpose” in the acquisition law. Before the acquisition process starts for any project, social and environment impact studies would have to be done. Acquisition process must not begin without the concerned villagers’ consent. In the existing framework there is no such scope. She also wants the compensation and rehabilitation packages to be settled before the process starts. Mamata Banerjee’s line of thinking on land acquisition is now being echoed by even the topmost leaders of the Congress.
Image Courtesy: The Times of India
