Bill for compensating land losers passed amidst oppn (herald)

PANJIM: The Government passed the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Goa amendment) Bill 2015, on Thursday, amidst stiff opposition. It justified passing of the bill saying the bill seeks to give protection to those people whose lands were acquired by government for various projects, since January 1, 2014.

By TEAM HERALD | 27 Mar, 2015, 12:14AM IST

“The bill, to be implemented with retrospective effect seeks to provide protection to the people, whose lands were earlier acquired for government projects,” Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Revenue Francis D’Souza told the State Legislative Assembly.

The Opposition raised several objections to the bill on the compensation mode and demanded that the bill be sent to the Select Committee. On government’s refusal to do so, the Opposition demanded for division of votes which the government won 23-6 and passed the bill.

The Opposition benches urged that State should wait until Central Government passes its Land Acquisition Bill, which was introduced through an ordinance. Raising objections, Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane said that government cannot take away the right to justice from any individual, as proposed in the bill that has forced people to approach court.

Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai alleged that the bill is being introduced with the sole objective of acquiring the land for Bainguinim solid waste management plant, which is being strongly opposed by the locals and even the Archbishop.

 

 http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Budget-Session/Bill-for-compensating-land-losers-passed-amidst-oppn/86562.html