JOIN USThe Modi government is keen on key amendments to the land acquisition law, a showpiece legislation of the previous UPA government, to make it more investor friendly.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu is expected to hold a series of meetings with leaders of political parties in an effort to build consensus on the issue.
Several state governments have voiced their concerns to the Centre about the social impact assessment clause which was making acquisition of land for big infrastructure projects difficult. Under the current law, prior consent is required from 70 per cent of the affected families if land is being acquired for Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects and from 80 per cent in case of private companies.
Parliament sources said Naidu would hold separate consultations with Opposition party leaders after his return on Thursday from an official visit to Spain. The sources said he would also meet leaders of the Congress.
However, Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said, “I have no information about any meeting,” when asked about the consultations planned by Naidu.
The Modi government has put nearly two dozen bills, including one to increase FDI in insurance, another to appoint a real estate regulator, and one to curb ponzi schemes on top of its agenda for the winter session of Parliament beginning next week.
Last week, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had expressed hope that economic reforms such as the Insurance Laws Amendment Bill and rolling out of the new indirect tax regime would get Parliament nod in the winter session.
“Some changes may be necessary. We will first try to reach a consensus and if that is not possible we will go ahead and take the decision… I do hope this (winter) session will be able to pass the Insurance Bill,” he had said.