New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANS): The union cabinet Monday approved an ordinance to amend the Land Acquisition Act, adding five more areas which will be exempted from the requisites given in the act.
At a briefing, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the five areas were clearance for land for defence purposes, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and housing projects for poor, industrial corridors, and infrastructure or social infrastructure projects, including those in public-private projects in which ownership of land will remain with the government.
Jaitley said while the compensation will remain high as per the act, and rehabilitation and resettlement will be followed, the procedure for acquiring land for these projects will be easier by omitting steps like social impact assessment, impact on food security, and consent of 80 percent land owners, among other features of the act.