The Times Of India, Feb 12, 2014, Thiruvanathapuram: The government is likely to set up a committee to study the Centre’sLand Acquisition Act and its possible impact on the state’s socio-economic front.The state cabinet is likely to take a decision in this regard on Wednesday.The cabinet held a special session on Tuesday to brief ministers about the state’s current fiscal status and the impact of the Land Acquisition Act.Principal secretary (revenue) Satyajeet Rajan made a presentation on the new acquisition act-the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013.Rajan invited the cabinet’s attention to those matters mentioned in the Land Acquisition Act which would come under the ambit of ‘public purpose’.”Now, the cabinet has the discretionary power to define public purpose. But the Act clearly explains what all can come under the term and what should be excluded. Such matters have been explained to the council,” sources added.The ministers were also briefed about sand-mining related issues that had hit the construction industry. The matter has been before the green tribunal.”The cabinet has asked the department of environment and forests to present the state’s case before the tribunal. Another decision was to take up the de-silting of Thenmala dam, the sand from which can be a solution to the construction industry to a large extent,” sources added.While explaining the state’s current financial situation, additional chief secretary (finance) V Somasundaran suggested the cabinet of ministers to mobilize additional resources.”One of the suggestions (Somasundaran made) was to ask the various welfare boards to contribute more to the state exchequer. Moreover, each department will be asked to explore new avenues for revenue mobilization,” sources said.The cut in Centre’s share of taxes, and the financial crisis consequent to the creation of more posts were also presented before the cabinet.Besides Somasundaran and Rajan, the session was attended by the secretaries of the departments of environment and forests, industries and information technology, science and technology and taxes. Normally, they do not attend cabinet meetings.Web: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/State-may-set-up-committee-to-study-Acquisition-Act/articleshow/30282492.cms