Economic Survey calls for amendment of land acquisition laws

September 30th, 2009 CHANDIGARH - Haryanas ruling Congress seems to be selling foreign dreams to farmers in the state in their election manifesto released Wednesday, offering them help in buying land in any part of the world if their land is acquired to set up Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Farmers whose land will be acquired by us will get all help from our officials to buy land not only in other states of India but also in other countries of their choice, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said here.

September 29th, 2009 NEW DELHI - A whopping 63 percent of top executives of India Inc believe a sustainable economic recovery is under way, according to a survey conducted by a leading think-tank. Indian business honchos are the most optimistic of the lot in Asia of a sustainable economic recovery, said the survey, conducted among 258 senior executives from Asia by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

September 17th, 2009 BHUBANESWAR - The Orissa government, which Thursday reviewed the progress of 14 greenfield projects underway in the state, said most of the companies setting up these projects have not completed land acquisition. "Acquiring land is the biggest problem before these mega projects.

September 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The railways ministry Wednesday said it would not resort to forceful acquisition of land for railway projects, and that it would review its land acquisition policy. "The ministry of railways has decided that there shall not be any forceful acquisition of land for railway projects," the ministry said in a statement.

September 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Ministry of Railways has decided on Wednesday that there shall not be any forceful acquisition of land for the railway projects. According to a press release by the ministry, it has been decided to comprehensively review Railways Land Acquisition policy to ensure that forceful acquisition of land, including agriculture land, is completely avoided.

September 9th, 2009 Fed survey: most of US in economic healing modeWASHINGTON — A new government survey finds the vast majority of the country reporting economic activity is stabilizing or improving, as the worst recession since the 1930s appears to be over. The Federal Reserve's snapshot of economic conditions backs predictions by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and most other analysts that the economy has started to grow again in the current quarter.

August 21st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee might be protesting the Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill and the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, but experts believe these address several concerns raised recently during acquisitions. Both the Land Acquisition Amendment and the related Bill on Rehabilitation and Resettlement address several concerns that have been raised in relation to recent project related acquisitions.

August 15th, 2009 KOLKATA - The West Bengal government Saturday said it will acquire land for the projects announced by Railways Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee. Banerjee, whose party has been involved in several anti-land acquisition agitations in the state, has announced many projects for the state, and the railways need at least 321 acres for eight projects across various districts.

July 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The ruling Congress party is in a quandary over introducing the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill and the Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill in parliament after stiff opposition to the proposed legislations by alliance partner Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress. The government was intending to introduce the two bills during the current session of parliament, but this was scuttled by Banerjee at Thursday night's cabinet meeting when she reportedly threatened to walk out if the legislations were approved.

July 24th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee is understood to have raised serious objections to a bill relating to land acquisition for industrialisation and rehabilitation of the land losers in a Cabinet meeting held on Thursday evening. The Union Cabinet reportedly discussed the amendments to the Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill 2007 and the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill for nearly three hours.

July 16th, 2009 KOLKATA - After its land acquisition for industry went wrong twice, and with adverse consequences for it, the West Bengal government Thursday said henceforth the industrialists will have to directly purchase land from farmers. The government will no more acquire land for industries, Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta told the state assembly.

July 14th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Acquisition of land remains the biggest challenge in road projects development, Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath said here Tuesday. "When I look at the challenges ahead I feel that today land acquisition remains the biggest challenge for road construction," Kamal Nath said while addressing a conclave on highways development.

July 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Owing to a shortage of long-term finance, it is difficult to achieve the investment target set for the infrastructure sector for the 11th Five-Year Plan period, India's Economic Survey for 2008-09 released here Thursday said. The government has estimated an investment requirement of $500 billion in the infrastructure sector for the plan period that ends in 2012 for achieving inclusive growth.

July 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Economic Survey for 2008-09 tabled Thursday has called for banking and financial market reforms, including increasing foreign investment in banks in a phased manner and lifting of ban on commodity futures. It also called for expediting passage of the Banking Regulations (Amendment) Bill and allowing high net worth individuals to invest directly in capital markets rather than go through the controversial participatory notes route.

February 12th, 2009 RANCHI - Steel major ArcelorMittal will be given government land to set up its proposed Rs.400-billion (Rs.40,000-crore) steel project in Jharkhand, state Industries Director Rahul Sharma said Friday. 'We have asked ArcelorMittal representatives to deposit Rs.12.5 crore (Rs.125 million) to Gumla district to get 1,000 acres of government land.