GoM to decide if Land Bill may be applied retrospectively

NEW DELHI: The Group of Ministers on the Land Bill is actively considering allowing the proposed law to be applied retrospectively in cases where land for the project has not been acquired or the affected people have not been compensated.

The GoM is scheduled to meet on Monday for its second meeting and aims to finalise its recommendations for the Cabinet. In its first meeting last week, there were differences of opinion on whether the law should only apply prospectively.

Several ministers suggested there should be a 'window' for the retrospective application of the law, with another section of ministers making it clear that it should only apply prospectively. The original bill provided for the proposed law to apply with retrospective effect.

However, the ministry had dropped the retrospective application clause to make it investor-friendly. Government sources said even if the provision for retrospective application is proposed, it would have safeguards such as a reasonable time limit to address concerns of industry.