Congress MPs appear to hinder land acquisition bill to pass before UP assembly polls

NEW DELHI: Congress MPs in the standing committee on rural development appear to be hindering the government’s efforts to get the land acquisition bill passed before assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.

According to a senior minister, the report of the panel is being held up as Congress members have joined Left and Samajwadi Party counterparts to question various provisions of the bill. According to Congress members, the bill is “not progressive enough” and its passage could hurt interests of the common man.

Congress members critical of the bill are of the view that the government should not interfere in the acquisition of land involving private entrepreneurs.

“In the beginning, land was acquired for hydel power projects, then for projects or enterprises by the public sector enterprises. But increasingly, from the 90s, land has been acquired for public-private partnerships, joint ventures and even for the private sector. Should land be acquired by the government if it is being finally used for profit,” asked a Congress MP on the panel, who did not wish to be identified.

According to the MP, there was no need for acquisition of land when it can be purchased at an acceptable price. Congress MPs have also reservation on the limited role for local bodies.

“The bill makes provisions for tribal and forest areas but none for non-tribal areas. Given that people’s consent is required, it makes more sense to ensure that their representatives are more involved in the process. The Constitution does empower local government bodies to take decisions that relate to economic development,” the MP said.

Congress was planning to flaunt the bill in the coming elections in UP. Taking a leaf from Mamata Banerjee’s experience in West Bengal – the Nandigram agitation had catapulted her party to the top – Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi has been attempting to build political capital for his party by taking an active interest in land acquisition-related issues.