New Delhi: Well aware of its vulnerable position in the Rajya Sabha and the stiff protest it faces from a united Opposition, the BJP government appears to have taken a conscious decision not to push for the passage of the controversial Land Acquisition Amendment Bill in the Upper House before Parliament breaks for a month-long recess.

The government is now thinking of more consultations with Opposition parties, including the Congress, which has been protesting against the Bill both inside and outside Parliament. With just four days to go for the two Houses to break for the recess, there are indications that suggest that the government will not push the Bill in the next few days.
Government sources told this newspaper that they were aware of their strength in the Rajya Sabha, and unless the Opposition was on board there was no point in pushing through the legislation.

“The government intends to have one more round of consultations before the Bill passed by the Lok Sabha is introduced in the Rajya Sabha. No decision has been taken on when to launch the talks with the Opposition,” the source said.

Government managers suggested that in the event of the Bill not being tabled in the Rajya Sabha by the end of the week, the ordinance on it would be repromulgated.

“The recess could be used for reaching out to the people on why the government has brought the Land Act. The government has already decided to fan out senior Union ministers to their respective states to educate people on the benefits of the law,” the source said. The government might be forced to send the Bill to a select committee if it is tabled in the Upper House.