DECODING THE BILL
The Punjab Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal Land (Transfer of Proprietary Rights) Bill2016 l provides for transfer of proprietary rights to those from whom land was acquired by the state government for construction of Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) main canal. Transfer of Land: “Notwithstanding anything contained contrary in any law for the time being in force, on and from the commencement of this Act, the proprietary rights on the land shall stand transferred to the land owners on such terms and conditions as the state government may notify,” says the Bill. The record of rights will stand amended and automatically modified by the concerned revenue authorities. The Bill says “land” will mean the land that was notified by the state government and the ownership of which was transferred to the state government “in any manner” for SYL canal construction. The “land-owner” means “owner of the land or his successors-in-interest” from whom the land was acquired in any manner by Punjab government in the department of irrigation. A suitable mechanism will be notified for settlement of claims of any landowner. The settlement of claims in due course will not in any manner affect the transfer of land in favour of the landowners in the record of rights. The provisions of this Act and the rules made under it will have overriding effect “not-withstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other Act, rule, judgement, decree, notification, or any other instrument having force of law.” The section 8 of this bill empowers the state government to make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.