Parl panel likely to seek more time; land bill unlikely in

With no political consensus in sight, the Joint Committee of Parliament examining the land bill is likely to seek more time to submit its report to the House, which may not see the bill coming up for consideration in the Monsoon Session beginning July 21.
A number of panel members has indicated their willingness to further extend the deadline for submission of its report. The committee, headed by BJP member S S Ahluwalia, had earlier decided in favour of extending the deadline from July 21 to July 28, for which Parliament's nod would be sought when the Monsoon Session begins.

Sources in the government as well as in the panel did not rule out further extensions to the Joint Committee. While the government is yet to take a call on convening a Joint Session of Parliament to ensure the passage of the bill, there seems to be no sign of an agreement in the panel.
There is a view within the government that the opposition Congress will not relent on its demands even if the government agrees to some changes.
Indications are that deliberations in the panel could be continued for some more time as the government is unlikely to push for the passage of the bill before the Assembly elections in politically crucial Bihar, an agrarian state.

The Monsoon Session concludes on August 13 and the Winter Session will begin only in November. By that time, the Bihar Assembly elections will also be over.

Even members from the Opposition camp in the panel have been suggesting increasing the time frame of the panel, seeking a thorough discussion on the matter.
Pitching for extension of time to the panel, Trinamool Congress member Kalyan Banerjee said in one of the meetings that the time of even the JPC on the 2G scam was extended for more than two years.
Banerjee argued that the fact that Parliament has given a mandate to complete the report within a certain time frame is not an absolute bar on it if all the members agree that the panel's work is not finished.

Congress member Jairam Ramesh had also called for having an "open mind" on extending the time frame of the panel, sources said.