National consensus needed on Land Acquisition Bill: Ramesh

Hyderabad, Aug 7 (ANI): Underlining the importance of land acquisition related tribal issues, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has said that the government is trying to evolve a national consensus on the proposed Land Acquisition Bill.

Addressing a news conference here on Saturday, Ramesh said there are different views on the proposed bill, many people welcomed it while many criticised it.

"I know there are different views on this Bill (Land Acquisition Bill). But through a process of debate, we will arrive at a national consensus on this legislation," he added.

Ramesh further said the new bill will not only compensate the farmers but also the landless people, whose livelihoods will be lost due to land acquisition.

"I hope that very soon we will have a sensitive Land Acquisition R andR (rehabilitation and resettlement) Bill that is sensitive to the needs of farmers. Let me tell you, this new bill not only compensates farmers and land owners but it also compensates the landless and those whose livelihoods will be lost when land has been acquired," he added.

Mentioning about the relief package in the proposed legislation, Ramesh said land acquisition process would not be completed till the rehabilitation and resettlement package is fully implemented.

"Land acquisition will not be completed till R andR package has been implemented because let me say, let me accept that in the last 60 years over 50 million people have been displaced because of industrial projects, all over India. Out of the 50 million almost two-thirds are tribal population and many of these have been displaced not once, they are subject to multiple displacements," said Ramesh.

Ramesh said that such land acquisitions have been one of the main contributors to the growth of Maoist activities in central India.

"To my mind, this has been one of the main contributors to the growth of naxalism (Maoism) in central India. So we must address issues of tribal communities more sensitively. Land acquisition, mining, industry, infrastructure, that is what I meant by saying, you know, the modern phase, unless we are sensitive to these issues, we will not be getting a grip on what the emerging phenomenon is," added Ramesh. (ANI)