Prime Minister Narenra Modi must consult all parties on Land Bill: J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed

NEW DELHI: Amid growing political opposition to the controversial land bill, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take all political parties on board for the proposed law.

Speaking here at the Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, Sayeed also sought an end to the "one size fits all" approach for development and asked the Centre to give greater freedom and flexibility to states in adapting national policies to local conditions and constraints.

Referring to the perception created about the changes in Land Acquisition Act of 2013 being anti-farmer, Sayeed asked Prime Minister to take all political parties on board, including the opposition which has raised concerns over the changes recommended in the Act.

"Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, is not applicable in J&K," he said, while adding that J&K has been a frontrunner in bringing historic legislations on land reforms and anti-defection.

"We may still want to adopt some best practices in light of the changing situation," Sayeed said at the second Governing Council meeting, chaired by Modi.

The Chief Minister said while there were no disagreements over the issue of compensation, relief and rehabilitation, there were some concerns on consent and social impact assessment in the proposed changes.

Sayeed complimented the Prime Minister on promoting cooperative federalism and establishing NITI Aayog, which would take states on board on key policy matters, including economic issues.

He called for ending the contrived policy of "one size fits all" on the issue of development.

"The dream of becoming a strong nation will only be realised by building consensus with states and making them equal partners in country's development," he said.