Union Minister for Corporate Affairs M. Veerappa Moily on Friday took a dig at the proposed yatra against corruption by Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani, and said it would become a yatra of “embarrassment.”
Speaking to journalists, Mr. Moily said the programme was proposed at a time when memories of the communal clashes that followed Mr. Advani's earlier Rath Yatra were still haunting people. Mr. Advani had no moral right to undertake another yatra, he added.
The Minister said the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre had taken all possible measures to curb corruption in public life. Because of its steps, many people, who were allegedly involved in corruption, were facing court cases and were in jail. The Central Bureau of Investigation had taken effective steps to curb corruption, he said.
Land acquisition Bill
Replying to questions on the Land acquisition Bill, which now has been referred to a standing committee, Mr. Moily said the Bill sought to replace the 125-year-old Land Acquisition Act and was aimed at providing a better deal to farmers.
Consent of 80 per cent of farmers for the acquisition and compensation at four times the market value for the land were some of the salient features, the Minister maintained. Though the Bill, when it became an Act of Parliament, would not be binding on the State governments, they might be forced to adopt the Act because of its novel features.
Responding to Karnataka Minister for Major Industries Murugesh Nirani's opposition, Mr. Moily said he should study the Bill before making comments.
Earlier, inaugurating the new zonal office of the Corporation Bank here, Mr. Moily said banks should work in such a way that the facilities should reach even the last man in society. Mr. Moily commended the Corporation Bank, and said it had achieved the feat of rendering yeoman service to the general public.
Chairman Ramanath Pradeep said the Bank had plans to open 200 new branches this financial year and 25 of them would be in rural areas. Malleswaram MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayana and State Planning Board Deputy Chairperson Ramachandra Gowda participated in the function.
