Land Acquisition Bill fails to get cabinet nod, referred to GoM again

The union cabinet, which was expected to approve the Land Acquisition Bill, instead referred the controversial legislation to a group of ministers (GoM) for a second time after some ministers raised reservations on certain provisions of the Bill.

The proposed bill, which would govern land acquisition by both the government and private entities to provide public services, faced several objections from the various ministries, sources said.

They say their views have not been reflected in the final draft and the bill has to be reviewed before it can be finalised.

"A lot of ministries have given their suggestions. They were not adequately heard and hence the matter has been referred to the GoM," official sources said.

The GoM, which is yet to be formed, will examine the proposal thoroughly before a final draft of the bill is prepared.

The proposed bill, once passed into law, will push up cost of land acquisition for businesses and the government.