In a major shift in stance, the government will not bring the controversial Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill in the first half of the Budget Session of Parliament ending on March 20.
It may either allow the ordinance to lapse or repromulgate it after Parliament is prorogued.
This was indicated by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu to party leaders during the meeting of the Rajya Sabha Business Advisory Committee on Thursday.
On the face of it, the government maintains that it needs to confer with the Opposition to build a consensus, but with tremendous pressure from the RSS and its affiliates and farmers’ organisations, the BJP is reframing its strategy on the Bill.
Significantly, Prime Minister’s “Man ki Baat” radio talk on March 22 is on farmers’ issues.
He has invited comments from farmers, saying he would like to “hear them.”
According to sources, the government is keen that the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill be approved by the Upper House after they are returned by the respective Select Committees on March 18.
Since coal auctions are under way, the government is keen that legislation is in place and the Opposition parties are on board on this.
But because of differences on the Land Bill, the government is having a rethink on its strategy.
