#RealtyNewsRoundUp: Lok Sabha Passes Immovable Property Amendment Bill

A Bill to amend the regulations, governing compensation payable for acquisition of immovable property by the Centre for defence and security purposes, was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 20. The Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill was adopted by a voice vote. The Bill seeks to amend a provision to allow the Centre to re-issue the notice of acquisition in order to ensure that the property's owner gets an opportunity to be heard.

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A Bill to exclude bamboo from the definition of 'tree' under the Indian Forest Act was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 20 amid a protest by Opposition members against the promulgation of an ordinance on the matter last month. The Bill permitted felling and transit of bamboo grown in non-forest areas, a move aimed at boosting the rural economy. However, bamboo grown on forest lands would continue to be classified as tree.

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The Cabinet on December 20 approved a new Consumer Protection Bill that seeks to establish an authority to safeguard consumers' rights along with provisions to deal with misleading advertisements. The new Bill seeks to enlarge scope of the existing law, and make it more effective and purposeful, say sources. It seeks to establish a Central Consumer Protection Authority to promote, protect and enforce consumer rights. It also provides for ban on celebrities for misleading advertisements.

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Irked over its failure to curb noise pollution, the Allahabad High Court on December 20 asked the Uttar Pradesh government whether the loudspeakers or public address systems installed at mosques, temples, churches, gurdwaras, etc., were installed after obtaining a written permission from the authorities concerned. The Lucknow Bench of the HC court also asked what actions had been taken against unauthorised installations and against officers allowed this illegality to take place.

Source: Media reports