Expedite rehab policy: Nath to Raghuvansh

Commerce Minister Kamal Nath has urged Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh to "expedite" the rehabilitation policy formulated by Singh's ministry, in view of the pending Special Economic Zone (SEZ) proposals.

The rural development ministry has been saying that unless a go-ahead is issued by the commerce ministry it will not be placing the policy before the Union Cabinet. Kamal Nath's suggestion paves the way for it, and may lead to a case-by-case consideration of the SEZ proposals.

In a letter written by Nath to Singh, he has steered clear of acquisition of agricultural land, and has instead stressed that the policy may provide a framework for acquisition of private land by state governments.

"As you are aware, the issue of agricultural land is under the consideration of Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) led by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. I would, however, request you to expedite the new rehabilitation policy for acquisition of private land, so that this may serve as a guideline for acquisition of land by state governments," the letter states.

The commerce ministry's request is being seen as a counterpoint to the wait and watch policy adopted by the EGoM, which appears reluctant to even set a new date for its next meeting. Land acquisition is a political hot potato and not many in the government are keen on disturbing the status quo.

Earlier, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had guillotined any SEZ proposal till a rehabilitation policy was put into place. The rural development ministry had formulated the policy and had circulated the same to all ministries. Now that the commerce ministry's response has been registered, all expectations are that the policy will be placed before the Union Cabinet.

EGoM head Pranab Mukherjee, however, maintained a stoic silence on the issue and refused to comment on reports that his EGoM would consider a case by case approval.