Land ordinance will not dilute compensation part of old bill : Sumitra Mahajan

Both ruling and opposition will find middle-path over Land Bill row, hopes LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan 

By Dheeraj Fartode

Clarifying misconception about Land Acquisition Ordinance, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan made it clear that the ordinance would never change compensation part of the Land Acquisition Bill, which was passed during UPA-2 regime in 2013. “The government should inform opposition about it and resolve the ongoing row in the Lok Sabha. Discussion should be started in the house to decide changes to be made in the ordinance,” Mahajan opined. 

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan

It can be mentioned that Sumitra Mahajan was the chairperson of Standing Committee of Rural Development Ministry and played a key role in drafting of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013. Interacting with mediapersons during her short stay at Ravi Bhavan, Mahajan further said, farmers would be definitely benefitted by the bill, which has replaced Land acquisition law of 1894. “May be the bill -- passed in 2013 -- is not comprehensive hence, government wants to amend it,” she opined. 

“Many good suggestions will come out during discussion in the Parliament. Every amendment in favour of farmers is welcome,” she said.

Showing her neutral stand about all political parties, the Lok Sabha speaker further said, all parties are working for betterment of society and development of country. “Of course, idea of ruling and opposition parties can be different but final goal is same. So, we have to find a middle-path accommodating concerns of both the sides. The ruling party must reach out to opposition and acknowledge their demands,” Mahajan said.

When asked about possibility to call joint session to pass the ordinance, Mahajan informed that sorting out things through discussion is her priority. Joint session is last resort if the stalemate continues or both the houses differ in their opinion, she said. On the controversy created due to objectionable statements made by Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) leader and row in Lok Sabha, Mahajan said the lower house has already expressed views on the issue. 

Former MP Banwarilal Purohit, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, legislators Krishna Khopde, Anil Sole, Dr Milind Mane, Sudhakar Deshmukh, Pramod Pandke and others welcomed the Lok Sabha Speaker. 

‘Amendment to President’s address should have been avoided’ 

Expressing her views on Rajya Sabha’s amendment to the President Pranab Mukherjee’s address to joint session of Parliament’s Budget session, the Lok Sabha speaker said, “Political parties should avoid amendment in the President’s address which is based on the schemes and plans of ruling party for the country.” Saying there are several ways to expose failure of government, Mahajan added that amendment to the President’s address should be avoided as it’s not routine culture. Opposition outnumbers ruling NDA in Rajya Sabha. 

It can be mentioned that the Government faced an embarrassment in the Rajya Sabha when an amendment moved by the opposition to the President’s address over corruption and black money was passed.