The union cabinet on Saturday gave its approval to the re-promulgation of the land acquisition ordinance.The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its approval to amend the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015.The land acquisition ordinance will be promulgated for the third time. The ordinance was first promulgated in December last year to amend the Act passed during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2013.An official release said the changes in the 2013 Act "will facilitate farmers to get better compensation and rehabilitation and resettlement benefits" in lieu of land compulsorily acquired by the concerned government.
The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with official amendments in March this year but was not taken up in the Rajya Sabha where the government lacks majority.The land ordinance was again promulgated in April this year. With the Congress and several other opposition parties firmly opposed to the bill brought by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, it has been referred to the joint committee of parliament.The recommendation of the cabinet for re-promulgation of the ordinance will be sent to President Pranab Mukherjee.