Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has taken up the task of reaching out to different political parties, including the BJP’s ally in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena, to address “misconceptions” about the Land Bill Ordinance.
Mr. Gadkari, who has been fielded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to counter the “propaganda” and perception against the ordinance, said he was also willing to hold talks with social activist Anna Hazare to address his objections against the ordinance.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar have openly expressed their opposition to the ordinance terming it anti-farmer while Mr. Hazare launched an agitation in Delhi against it. The Sena has also decided to launch a statewide agitation in Maharashtra opposing the land acquisition law. Mr. Gadkari said he would meet Mr. Thackeray and address his concerns about the ordinance.
Responding to the charges of the opposition parties, Mr. Gadkari assured that the opposition to the ordinance was based on only a “perception” and refuted charges that the amendments were being made to favour builders. “There will be no compromise on the compensation and rehabilitation of farmers. It is not against farmers but in their interest. They will be compensated four times the rate,” Mr. Gadkari told reporters.
Citing the example of Maharashtra, Mr. Gadkari also said that the land ordinance would benefit States with low irrigation coverage, which would in turn check farmer suicides. In Maharashtra, Mr. Gadkari pointed out nearly 67 percent land is under agriculture, as against the against the national average of 48.3 percent. Only 18 percent of net area is irrigated while 15 percent is barren and only 4.5 percent is under non agriculture use. “Acquisition of land for increasing irrigation, power and roads will help in making 60 percent area under agriculture more productive,” he said.
The statement didn’t cut much ice with the NCP as its spokesperson Nawab Malik said linking irritation to the land Bill ordinance was not correct. “They are two different topics. Linking them to farmer suicide is deception.The government wants to forcefully give farmer land to capilatists,” Mr Malik said.