Nod by 80 pc landowners must for private projects

The GoM in its last meeting on October 16 had agreed for uniform two-third consent requirement for PPP and private projects alike proposed by Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh. However,Ramesh was learnt to have pitched for 80 per cent consent requirement with Pawar after the GoM concluded its deliberations in an apparent bidding on behalf of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Given the fact that Ramesh himself had proposed uniform two-third consent requirement in his proposals bebore the GoM,Pawar was learnt to have taken by surprise by this sudden volte-face by Ramesh. The Agriculture Minister,in this context,held a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last week to seek his opinion on the fresh changes.

A political compromise was arrived after Pawars meeting with Prime Minister on October 25, said a source.

The changes along with others will now be incorporated into the Land Acquisition,Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill and referred to all the 14 members of the GoM afresh for their final views.