Jairam caught unaware by Owaisi’s googly

New Delhi: Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, who incorporated around 158 amendments in the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011, admitted on Thursday that he was caught unawares by the “googly” thrown by MIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi. The Minister, who spoke to nearly all the political parties in his effort to please and take their approval on the controversial Bill, however, missed out on one count. He could not envisage that that there could be problems with regard to waqf properties that can be arbitrarily acquired. Jairam Ramesh conceded that he had not given a thought to the issue at all.

Replying to the debate on the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011, Jairam Ramesh said, “Asaduddin Owaisi delivered a googly. I admit that we have not discussed this matter. This is a serious matter and I shall get back to Parliament after discussing it with my Cabinet colleague.” Jairam Ramesh assured Asad Owaisi that he would discuss the issue with Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan. If any changes are required, then certainly such changes will be made, he said. Jairam Ramesh agreed with Owaisi in principle that there should be no forcible or arbitrary acquisitions of land belonging to the waqf properties.

Earlier, participating in the debate, Owaisi asked, “Where are the norms in the Bill that explains how land will be acquired belonging to the Waqf Board?” Owaisi said that the Andhra Pradesh Government showed no compunction in taking away lands belonging to the waqf properties and he wondered where it would all stop.