That the controversial Land Bill was allowed to lapse by the NDA government is a victory for the farmer in his fight for justice (“Land ordinance gets a burial”, Aug.31). There is a need to involve all sections of society in an issue that has far-reaching consequences. The right to own land is a fundamental right that cannot be taken away, either by force or inducement. Finally, thought must be given to the conversion of uncultivable land for industrial use.
D.B.N. Murthy,Bengaluru
After much bickering and wasting of precious time in Parliament, the ruling party has been forced to reverse its stand. This exposes the misuse of the ordinance route to enable legislation. A review of this is most certainly called for. Mutual consultation and conciliation is the very essence of democracy.
S.V. Venkatakrishnan,Bengaluru
To state that the government will include 13 points to reform the law establishes the fact that the draft ordinance was initially not a full-fledged Bill. By saying that “rumours” about the Bill led to a scare among farmers exposes the fact that the Bill was not without its flaws. Bills rushed through in order to secure political mileage have dangerous consequences in a democratic set-up. Let us not forget that the farming sector is extremely vital in the scheme of things for a better India.
Balasubramaniam Pavani,Secunderabad
