JAIRAM RAMESH Rural Development Minister Proposed Land Bill is for Masses, Not Classes

Ethical governance is essential 

for the country, says the minister to Urmi A Goswami

Is unleashing animal spirits still the main focus of the government? 
Unleashing the animal spirits is all very well, but it has to be in an ethical framework. Markets are all about morals, trust and adherence to laws. I think an obsession with animal spirits to the point of ignoring larger issues that govern the functioning of markets is not good for the country. You must unleash the animal spirits, but do so in a manner that the animals don't become man-eaters. 
It is felt that the proposed land bill will hurt the aspirational middle class
This is a bill for the 'perspirational' masses, not necessarily for the aspirational classes. While I think that the aspirational classes are important, the concerns of the 'perspirational' masses must get overriding priority. Let me hasten to add that the 'perspirational' masses have their own legitimate and worthy aspirations, which this bill addresses. I think the aspirational classes, as you put it, can certainly afford to pay more for land so that the concerns of land and livelihood losers are fully met. When it comes to land acquisition, the 'perspirational' masses have got a very bad bargain. 
Will the bill push up the cost of land? 
There is no point in running away from the fact that land acquisition costs and time spent on acquiring land will increase. I have navigated a very fine middle path, taken on board concerns of farmers, livelihood losers, industry, housing and urbanisation. This is a transition bill. Ideally, I would like to see a situation where 20 years from now all land required for industry and urbanisation is purchased directly. 
What about apprehensions that the compensation is indeterminate? 
Nothing is indeterminate in this bill, there are clear parameters. It is going to make acquisition transparent. It will circumscribe the principle of eminent domain, which has been misused by governments with devastating effects. 
Could the retrospective clause increase liability and litigation? 
It is a deeply contentious clause, we finally decided to include it but not in an open-ended manner. Agreed that there will be extra liability, but you have to recognise that PSUs have been among the worst culprits in land acquisition. Many of the problems that Coal India faces are directly attributable to the manner in which land is acquired. This is why, the exempted laws, listed in Schedule 4 of the bill, will have to comply within one year with the compensation and R&R provisions of the new law. 
How does Congress view the attempts to turn the 2014 polls into a Rahul versus Modi contest? 
The elections are at one level about Congress versus BJP; at another, UPA versus NDA; and, at the third level, Congress versus the regional parties. This 'Modi versus Rahul' trivialises a serious political conflict. It is a clash of ideologies, of competing visions, of conflicting interpretations of the past, of competing visions of how economic growth and social harmony must go together. 'Modi versus Rahul' is a good headline, but I don't think it is a reality. I have met senior BJP leaders who have said they will never serve in a Modi administration. 
Do you believe it helps to have a PM candidate? 
Ours is not a presidential election. Ours is a system where political parties, and not individuals, compete with each other. Our elections are not a beauty contest of individuals. 
Rahul Gandhi spoke about dismantling the high command. What will the new system be? 
I think Rahul Gandhi is trying to bring about fundamental changes in the party. He is committed to democratisation of the party, to empowering office bearers down to the district and block level and bringing in new people. Every party needs a high command and a central nervous system. Congress has always had it even though Nehru being Nehru, during his time he did not always have things his way but he was accommodative. As Rahul has himself said, the high command reached its apogee during Indira Gandhi's time for a variety of reasons. What he is talking about is a transition away from a stifling and all-powerful high command, which is stifling not so much because of the person at the very top but also because of the courtiers around that person who do not want a regional leadership to emerge. The balance between central authority and decentralised responsibility is what he will have to work out.

On RAHUL Vs MODI 
"This 'Modi versus Rahul' trivialises a serious political conflict. It's is a good headline, but I don't think it is a reality"

On MASSES 
"While I think aspirational classes are important, the concerns of the 'perspirational' masses must get overriding priority"