The government came under criticism from the members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Land Acquisition Bill when the secretaries from the Law, Rural Development, Urban Development, Railways and Commerce Ministries failed to turn up for a meeting here on Thursday.
The Opposition members in the panel also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Centre’s stand favouring State-wise legislations on land acquisition.
The committee did not transact any business on Thursday as its chairman, SS Ahluwalia, reported the inability of the secretaries to appear before the panel. Ahluwalia told the members that the government representatives sought more time to appear before the panel.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar, a senior member in the panel, is learnt to have questioned the “attitude” of the government. Pawar urged the chairman to ensure that the panel gets the respect similar to Parliament.
He said the committee is still working on the Bill and the Ministers, including the Prime Minister, are making various comments on the Bill, citing reports that the Centre has told the States to make their own laws on the subject. “If that’s the case, what is the need for this panel? This is the attitude of the government. Ministries are not cooperating with the panel,” said another member.
The panel, which has got extension for one week, is likely to get more time to submit its report. Its next meeting is scheduled for July 22.