Cabinet defers land acquisition bill
The much-awaited land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement bill got deferred in the cabinet on Thursday, raising doubts about the possibility of its passage during the monsoon session.
The much-awaited land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement bill got deferred in the cabinet on Thursday, raising doubts about the possibility of its passage during the monsoon session.
The bill, sources said, was added to the agenda just hours before the cabinet met. “It was the 15th agenda of the meeting. By the time the cabinet could come to it, it was 6pm.”
The land bill, that earlier faced political resistance, failed to get full support of all ministries in the inter-ministerial consultations held during the past one month. The commerce and industry ministry felt that the bill needs to be more flexible towards SEZ and industries.
The cabinet, however, approved amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act that aims to curb money laundering and terror financing. According to the bill, such activities will be considered as terrorist acts. The bill with all amendments will be introduced in the monsoon session.
Meanwhile, the cabinet approved the restructuring of share-holding in East-West metro corridor of Kolkata. Accepting the demand of Trinamool Congress, the cabinet gave 74% share of the project to the railways while urban development ministry will retain rest 26% share. Earlier, the Centre and the state government had 50:50 share.
The cabinet will set up an Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (IIAB) at Ranchi for Rs 287.50 crore and approved Rs 121.10 crore to set up National Institute of Biotic Stress Management at Raipur.