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Tell me about THE LAND LAWS AMENDMENT BILL, NO. 2 OF 2023

The Land Laws (Amendment) Bill, No. 2 of 2023

Background:

The Land Laws (Amendment) Bill, No. 2 of 2023, was introduced in the Lok Sabha (lower house of the Indian Parliament) on March 13, 2023. It seeks to amend the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act).

Key Provisions:

• Exemption for Certain Projects: The Bill exempts certain projects from the requirement of obtaining consent from 80% of affected landowners and conducting a social impact assessment. These projects include:

  • Defense and national security projects

  • Infrastructure projects such as highways, railways, and airports

  • Affordable housing projects

  • Industrial corridors and special economic zones

• Reduced Timeframe for Land Acquisition: The Bill reduces the timeframe for land acquisition from 5 years to 2 years.

• Compensation for Landowners: The Bill provides for compensation to landowners at twice the market value of the land in rural areas and three times the market value in urban areas.

• Resettlement and Rehabilitation: The Bill mandates the government to provide resettlement and rehabilitation benefits to affected landowners, including housing, land, and financial assistance.

• Dispute Resolution: The Bill establishes a Land Acquisition Authority to resolve disputes related to land acquisition.

Objectives:

The stated objectives of the Bill are to:

• Facilitate the acquisition of land for infrastructure and other development projects

• Reduce the time and cost of land acquisition

• Ensure fair compensation and resettlement for affected landowners

Criticism:

The Bill has faced criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups, who argue that it:

• Undermines the rights of landowners and farmers

• Facilitates land grabbing by corporations

• Weakens environmental protections

• Exempts projects from public scrutiny and accountability

Current Status:

The Bill is currently under consideration by a Parliamentary Standing Committee. The Committee is expected to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the end of the monsoon session of Parliament.

Answered by mwakili.com

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