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Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Cabinet approves re-promulgation of land acquisition ordinance
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Cabinet approves re-promulgation of land acquisition ordinance

The existing ordinance that does away with strict provisions contained in a 2013 land acquisition law 'lapses on 3rd June'

The re-promulgation underlines the government’s intent that it is serious about maintaining an investment-friendly climate. Photo: BloombergPremium
The re-promulgation underlines the government’s intent that it is serious about maintaining an investment-friendly climate. Photo: Bloomberg

New Delhi: The Union cabinet on Saturday gave its go-ahead for the re-promulgation of an ordinance that makes it easier to acquire land for key economic projects.

The existing ordinance that does away with strict provisions contained in a 2013 land acquisition law “lapses on 3rd June. #Cabinet has given its approval to promulgate ordinance to give continuity", Frank Noronha, director general of the Press Information Bureau, said in a post on his Twitter account.

The re-promulgation underlines the government’s intent that it is serious about maintaining an investment-friendly climate, a person familiar with the development said.

The re-promulgation of the ordinance was necessary as the 2013 land acquisition Act made it mandatory for the government to amend 13 laws, including one on acquisition of land for defence purposes, to ensure enhanced compensation as per the provisions of the 2013 Act. This means four times the price of land in rural areas and twice the price in urban areas.

The government first issued the ordinance in December which was re-promulgated in April.

A bill to amend the 2013 land acquisition law is now being discussed by a joint committee of Parliament that held its first meeting on Friday. The bill was referred to the panel as the bill faces stiff resistance from the opposition in Parliament. The panel comprises 20 MPs from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha. The Narendra Modi government has a majority in the Lok Sabha but not in the Rajya Sabha.

Other decisions

The Union cabinet also approved an agreement on coastal shipping between India and Bangladesh, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country, and gave its nod for signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between neighbouring countries to check trafficking among women and children.

The coastal shipping agreement will improve trade between India and Bangladesh by way of reduction in freight charges, a government release said. “It will also improve the utilization of port capacities of Indian ports and open up new opportunity for Indian coastal vessels," it added.

The MoU on human trafficking will strengthen cooperation to prevent trafficking, ensure speedy investigation and prosecution, said a government release. The MoU will also aid in expeditious repatriation of victims and the home country will undertake safe and effective reintegration, it added.

The Union cabinet also approved signing of an MoU between India and Sweden on cooperation on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This will open up new opportunities for the Indian MSME sector by way of new markets, joint ventures, sharing of best practices and technology collaborations, said a government release.

In another cabinet approval, several cities and towns were upgraded for the purpose of grant like house rent allowance (HRA) and transport allowance to Central government employees.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) also approved the construction of infrastructure components and landscaping for Shendra Bidkin Industrial Area in Maharashtra and Dholera Special Investment Region in Gujarat, both falling under the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project, at an estimated cost of Rs1,533 crore and Rs2,785 crore, respectively.

The cabinet also approved setting up of a committee chaired by the prime minister to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar.

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Published: 30 May 2015, 12:49 PM IST
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