The Centre is learnt to be gearing up to bring the Land Acquisition Bills in Parliament during the winter session next month, which could lead to another face-off with Trinamool Congress chief and Union Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee who is known to be opposed to the proposed legislations.

Sources said the Congress leadership has already informed Mamata that it wants to introduce the Bills during the winter session, and urged her to reconsider her stand. It has argued that by blocking the Bills, Mamata was allowing the continuation of the existing land acquisition which provide overriding powers to the state to acquire land.

“We are impressing upon Mamata to understand that the existing land acquisition laws are completely against the farmers and, therefore, there is an urgent need for a new one,” said a senior Congress leader.

Mamata is learnt to have held a meeting of her party’s core group after being informed that the government was keen to go ahead with the Bills. The Trinamool Congress is reported to have proposed at least two amendments: a provision allowing farmers the right to get back the acquired land if the project fails to take off and complete transparency in land purchases made by private developers.

When contacted, senior Trinamool leader and Minister of State for Rural Development Sisir Adhikari indicated his party’s willingness to negotiate with the Congress for the passage of the Bills. “We too want a new land acquisition law. Our leader is holding discussions with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and we are hopeful that a law which will keep in view the interests of the poor farmers will be agreed upon. We are products of land movements and are committed to protect the interests of the farmers,” said Adhikari. He did not rule out the possibility of the Bills being introduced during the winter session.

... contd.