Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the second meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, which was convened to discuss the Land Acquisition Bill.
The meeting was boycotted by chief ministers of nine Congress-ruled states, and witnessed the participation of 16 in total.
The political deadlock over land acquisition (law) is seriously impacting rural development, including the creation of schools, hospitals, roads and irrigation projects.
— Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, India
Pointing out the similarity between the Centre and states’ enhanced compensation, PM Modi urged the Chief Ministers to avoid political considerations from affecting rural development.
Parliament’s Winter Session
The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, or the Land Acquisition Bill is being scrutinised by a 30-member joint committee of Parliament.
Ahead of the upcoming Parliament session [Begins July 21], it was appropriate that the suggestions of states be listened to, once again.
— Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, India
The committee is scheduled to give its report later in the month.
Attendance
Besides the CMs of the nine-Congress ruled states, the notable absentees were West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu’s J Jayalalithaa, Odisha’s Naveen Patnaik and Uttar Pradesh’s Akhilesh Yadav.
The meeting, however, was attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, besides the CMs of the NDA-ruled states.
(With inputs from the PTI)
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