Act dated before TS formation

Utter chaos prevailed over whether the Assembly had passed a new law — TS Land Acquisition Bill — or an amendment. No clarity was given by either the Speaker or the government.

There was also confusion over how the state would bring the implemenation of Act with retrospective effect from January 1, 2014, when Telangana state did not exist, raising questions over whether it would stand legal scrutiny.

Legislative affairs minister T.Harish Rao tabled The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Telangana Amendment)) Bill, 2016, and the same was circulated to the members in the House and media.

The Congress argued that government had no right to amend the Act approved by Parliament but could enact a new legislation.

Leader of Oppostion K. Jana Reddy repeatedly brought this to the notice of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao when it was put for voice vote.

The Chief Minister said the government had tabled the Bill and not an amendment Bill, and Mr Harish Rao had sought passage of the Bill.

What Mr Jana Reddy said was lost in the din in the House.

In the meanwhile, the Speaker announced that the Bill was passed, without giving any chance for Opposition parties to speak or seek any clarity on this issue and adjourned the House.