Andhra Pradesh is mulling to make amendments to the existing Land Acquisition Act to effectively handle legal hurdles and to speeded up the process by cutting short the lengthly/time taking procedures. Based on Section 107 of the Central Act, State Government wants to introduce its own Land Acquisition Act without affecting the framework of Centre's Land Acquisition Act 2013. Officials say, The new Act will be a win-win situation for Government & Land Owners.
Four Amendments under consideration:
1) While Central Act fixed 6 months as the time period for Social Impact Assessment, AP Govt wants to reduce it to as low as possible.
2) In Central Act, There is no provision for advance possession of the Land. Only Lands for Defence Projects & Natural Calamity relief measures needn't follow mandatory procedure. Whereas, AP Govt is keen to include a provision which permits acquisition even before the completion of legal process.
3) AP Govt plans to introduce an 'Urgency Clause' for acquiring land for infrastructure projects.
4) AP Govt wishes to introduce 'Consent Award' under which Land Owners can't challenge the land acquisition in the court once after issuing the consent letter.
Four Amendments under consideration:
1) While Central Act fixed 6 months as the time period for Social Impact Assessment, AP Govt wants to reduce it to as low as possible.
2) In Central Act, There is no provision for advance possession of the Land. Only Lands for Defence Projects & Natural Calamity relief measures needn't follow mandatory procedure. Whereas, AP Govt is keen to include a provision which permits acquisition even before the completion of legal process.
3) AP Govt plans to introduce an 'Urgency Clause' for acquiring land for infrastructure projects.
4) AP Govt wishes to introduce 'Consent Award' under which Land Owners can't challenge the land acquisition in the court once after issuing the consent letter.