Centre modifies Land Acquisition Act for defence, industrial corridor sectors

New Delhi: Seeking to send a strong signal to investors that it means business, the BJP government on Monday took the ordinance route to make sweeping changes in the UPA’s Land Acquisition Act, removing the crucial consent clause for acquiring land for five sectors: defence, industrial corridors, affordable housing, electrification and building social infrastructure.

The mandatory “consent” clause — 80 per cent of the project-affected people had to provide consent — and Social Impact Assessment will not be applicable. The ordinance enables the takeover of multi-crop irrigated land if it is being acquired for PPP projects and rural infrastructure Finance minister Arun Jaitely said the compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement packages will be applicable as per the new Land Acquisition Act.