Land Acquisition Bill passed in Lok Sabha: As it happened

The amended Land Acquisition Bill, which was put to vote on Tuesday evening, was passed by the Lok Sabha, with the Congress walking out of the House.

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the contentious Land Acquisition Bill amid a walkout by Opposition parties even as the government moved nine amendments to address concerns raised by farmers and civil society activists.

Here are the Live Updates:

• We are not against development, but when land is acquired from farmers their consent is required. Whenever discussions were held on Land Bill, we had clearly put forth our stand: Anant Geete, Shiv Sena.
• We will oppose the bill tooth and nail because it is against interest of farmers: Jyotiraditya Scindia, Congress, reacting on the passage of Land Bill in Lok Sabha.
• It’s no secret that we do not have enough number in Rajya Sabha, but things are also decided on basis of merits and not always numbers: Naidu.
• 9 amendments were moved and amendments were accepted by govt. There was nothing left for anybody to oppose this bill, but as usual Congress being the Opposition, decided to oppose: Venkaiah Naidu.
• The 9 amendments that were put in place are proof enough that it is a pro-farmer bill: Birender Singh, BJP.
• It is a black day for Parliament, the manner in which they bulldozed it. Particularly taking away the real impact of the 2013 bill which was passed during the UPA II regime: Veerappa Moily, Congress leader.
• The urgency that Modi govt is showing for bills shows that its pay-back time for him. To pay back for the financial backing that he received during elections: Sitaram Yechury.
• The land bill takes into full consideration the interest of farmers. Let the Opposition say whatever they want to say: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
• Strongly oppose provision in this bill, we will continue to oppose it in Rajya Sabha as well: Kamal Nath, Congress MP after Land Bill was passed in Lok Sabha, as per ANI.
• BJP ally Shiv Sena abstained from voting on Land Bill.
• Lok Sabha passes amended Land Acquisition Bill through voice vote.
• Congress walks out of House ahead of voting on Land Bill.
• Telangana Rashtra Samithi also walks out.
• BJD walks out of Lok Sabha during voting on Land Bill amendments in Lok Sabha.
• Voting underway in Lok Sabha on land bill.
• We are ready to accept your suggestions if those are in interest of farmers: Singh to Opposition.
• Don't oppose for the sake of Opposition: Singh to Opposition.
• The farmers too need to progress, says Singh, adding, in the 50 years of Congress' rule they kept giving the farmers small pieces so that they could remain alive but made sure that they did not progress: Singh.
• Lok Sabha witnesses massive uproar as Birender Singh tries to make statement on land bill.
• Today the farmers want jobs. There are many farmers whose land holdings are limited to half acre, one acre etc.: Singh.
• Union Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Sanitation and Drinking Water, Chaudhary Birender Singh, says that Congress has ruled the more than 50 years, adding, they removed soul from the bill, we are putting soul back into the bill.
• Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan extends sitting of the House today for voting on government's land bill.
• Don't do anything to snatch the rights of farmers: Hooda to govt.
• I want to suggest that those farmers who have given land for the development of the country for the past 60 years should be given two percent reservation in jobs: Hooda.
• I want to ask the govt as to what is hurry to change the law. Since beginning the present govt wanted to change the law, he adds.
• Land Bill has never been an equal law for farmers, says Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda.
• Is it not important that India should stand on its feet, he asks.
• In the UPA regime in 10 years, two and a half lakhs farmers committed suicide. The kind of atrocities that the have done on the farners, no one has done in the history of this country. The Opposition has been exposed, he adds.
• BJP's Ratan Lal Kataria says that he supports the bill. The Opposition wants to tell the world that this govt does not have the courage to take tough decisions, he adds.
• I want to say that it is clear that one can go to the court if he wants. Those who will commit crime will be sent to jail as per the Ordinance: Nishank
• Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, BJP, says that he wants to congratulate the present Finance Minster because the farmers will get compensation to farmers in time.
• NK Premachandran, RSP, says that he opposes the bill. I would like to ask the govt as to what prompted you to go back on the stand taken in 2013, he adds.
• This bill is to exploit the people of India and pro-corporate. I oppose it: Owaisi.
• Your amendments are extra-constitutional. It will not stand the test of time: Owasi to govt.
• This bill is against Article 14, says MIM's Asaduddin Owaisi.
• Urge the govt to provide proper compensation to farmers in lieu of their lands: TDP
• Land should be used as a source for job creation, improving livelihood: TDP
• Land acquisition not only affects an individual but a family and an entire community in a particular region:TDP
• Land is an emotive issue in India: TDP
• Thotta Narshimhan of TDP raises concerns over land bill
• Want to assure that every one's concern is being taken care of: Bhuria
• In many states where BJP is not in power, the state of farmers is very deplorable: Bhuria
• It is being wrongly publicised that the BJP govt is working only for corporates: Bhuria
• Polls can't not fought and won on mere lofty promises only: Bhuria
• Narendra Modi govt is working for the poorest of the poor and farmers: Bhuria
• Farmer community is very vigilant, it can't be fooled: Bhuria
• After more than 60 years, we are now talking about farmers: Bhuria
• Dilip Singh Bhuria of BJP speaks in favour of land bill
• This bill is a conspiracy against tribals, farmers: JMM
• Tribals will lose their rights if this bill is implemented: JMM
• The govt's land bill will ruin tribals, especially those in Jharkhand: JMM
• Vijay Kumar Hansdak of JMM opposes land bill
• Unutilised land lying with SEZz, gram panchayats, railways, PSUs etc must be first used for development projects: Apna Dal
• Govt has address various concerns raised by the opposition regarding claims, dispute settlement, compensation: Apna Dal
• Farmers must be made stakeholders in the profit incurred by the industry where ever the land is acquired: Apna Dal
• Senior UPA ministers had objected to certain provisions of the 2013 land bill: Apna Dal
• UPA's land bill too had some problems: Apna Dal
• Anupriya Patel of Apna Dal favours land bill
• My party opposes the bill: Dushyant Chautala
• Want govt to send this bill to the Standing Committee: INLD
• Want to caution the govt dont stab in the back of farmers: INLD
• The land acquired was not properly utilised: INLD
• 70,000 acres of land have been acquired in the past ten years: INLD
• Those displaced after losing their lands have not been properly rehabilitated: INLD
• The govt's actions have only benefited big corporates: INLD
• INLD attacks govt on Make in India, Affordable Housing
• Will land acquisition act be effective in the NCR regions, asks INLD
• Govt says land acquisition is important for industries, infrastructure development: INLD
• Today many farmers are deeply concerned with the provisions of this bill: Chautala
• Dushyant Chautala of INLD speaks on the land bill
• My party fully supports the BJP govt's land bill: Chirag Paswan
• My party stands assured that all stake holders' interest will be safeguarded: LJP
• The BJP govt has incorporated various changes suggested by the Opposition parties: LJP  
• It is a good sign that the BJP govt has agreed to rework certain provisions of this bill: LJP  
• Chirag Paswan speaks on land bill
• Please send this bill to the Standing Committee of the Parliament: TMC
• Farmers will continue to oppose the draconian provisions of land bill: TMC
• BJP has gone against its own manifesto in which it promised to consult all parties on land bill: TMC
• Even the President cautioned the govt on its habit of issuing ordinance: TMC
• Govt has not consulted the opposition parties: TMC
• We oppose the manner in which the govt has promulgated an ordinance on this issue: TMC
• No doubt on govt intention to do good to the people of India:TMC
• This bill has unified the entire opposition: TMC
• Dinesh Chaturvedi of TMC takes the debate on land bill forward
• JD-S will oppose the land acquisition bill if it is not amended: Deve Gowda
• Legislation silent on various issues, need to be more tranparent: JD-S
• Fair compensation for their acquired land is the farmers' right: JD-S
• BJP's land legislation must ensure that farmers are not ruined: JD-S
• Bureaucrats have been given more powers in this legislation, this can lead to its misuse: JD-S
• Any land legislation should not add to the woes of farmers across the country: JD-S
• Good that the govt has agreed do away with some draconian provisions of land law: JD-S
• JD-S leader HD Deve Gowda initiates discussion on land bill
• Discussion on Land Acquisition Bill resumes in Lok Sabha
• BJP convinces allies SAD, TDP, Apna Dal to support land bill after 9 amendments; Venkaiah speaks to Uddhav Thackeray
• Govt open to incorporating more suggestions on land bill: Rural development minister Chaudhary Birender Singh
• This move came after all farmers from country turned against them, including the opposition and their own allies: BSP Chief Mayawati
• Centre Govt hs proposed 9 amendments to land acquisition bill,let’s wait and watch what those are: BSP Chief Mayawati

• Our Government is willing to consider safeguards to ensure minimum land acquisition: Venkaiah Naidu

  Our Government is willing to consider safeguards to ensure minimum land acquisition

  — M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVENKAIAHNAIDU) March 10, 2015

• BJD is looking forward to discussion on land bill: Panda
• Govt has indicated they are willing to discuss land bill, says Jay Panda of BJD
• Finance Minister informed the Parliamentary party about spectrum & coal block auction: MA Naqvi
• We had detailed discussion on land bill & proceedings in both houses of Parliament: MA Naqvi, BJP
• BJP Parliamentary party meeting ends.
• At BJP parliamentary party meet, PM Modi asks ministers to brief MPs regularly on what each ministry is doing
• BJP parliamentary party meeting to discuss land bill begins
• Land bill:  Hassle free mechanism for redressal of grievances of land loser
• Land bill: Amendment to do away with moving the High Court for appeals against land acquisition
• Land bill: Amendment for states creating land banks of vacant lands for acquisition for development projects
• Land bill: Grievance redresssal to be available at district level
• Land bill: Job for at least one member of the affected family
• Land bill: 1-km of land to be acquired on side of rail corridors
• Land bill: Social infrastructure projects exemption deleted
• Land acquisition to kept at bare minimum, says sources
• Ahead of voting in Lok Sabha, Govt moves 9 key amendments to land bill, claim sources
• The decision taken at a meeting of Congress MPs chaired by Sonia Gandhi yesterday
• Congress issues three-line whip to its members in the Lok Sabha asking them to be present and vote against the measure
• Shiv Sena still undecided on supporting the land bill
• Land Acquisition Bill to come up for voting in Lok Sabha today

Lok Sabha debates Land Acquisition Bill

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said in Lok Sabha yesterday that the "Government is willing to go in for amendment in the (Land) Bill in the larger interest of the community and the country".

Naidu made the offer while intervening in the debate on the Bill to replace the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Ordinance.

Naidu's intervention came amid stiff opposition to the Bill even as Congress and some other parties demanded that it be referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee for threadbare scrutiny.

Expressing the willingness of his government to consider the 52 amendments moved by members, he hoped that Rural Development Minister Birender Singh will look into the possibility of reducing the land for industrial corridors being planned to boost manufacturing sector in the country.

Naidu also suggested creating a "bank" of barren land for acquisition and said first such land should be used for setting up of industrial projects.

Indications of possible confrontation between the government and the Congress over the measure were visible earlier in the day, when the main Opposition party blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "personal ambitions" for the showdown.

As the Lower House took up debate on the new Land Bill yesterday, Opposition slammed the government over the measure saying it is "draconian" and "anti-poor" provisions would have a deleterious effect on India's food security.

The Opposition members, ranging from the Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC) to the Left, BJD and AIADMK, launched a tirade against the government. Several opposition members particularly opposed the NDA government's move to do away with Section 2 and 3A of the existing land acquisition law which provided for social impact assessment before land transfer and safeguarding the interest of farmers.

The Land Acquisition Bill, which seeks to replace an Ordinance issued in December to amend the Land Act 2013, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 24. Giving a shot in arm to the Opposition, Shiv Sena said it has not taken any decision on supporting the legislation or otherwise.

Sena is the second largest constituent of the BJP led NDA, having 18 members in the Lower House and three in the Upper House. Modi dispensation has the numbers in the Lok Sabha to see the bill through but is not in a majority in the Rajya Sabha.

The Opposition strategy appears to be to keep the Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha without rejecting it so as to torpedo possible plans of the government to call a joint session. A measure has to be passed in one House and get defeated in the other to enable it to be brought up in a joint session for passage.