Having made up its mind to contest the proposed amendments to the land acquisition law, the Congress has called a meeting of party general secretaries on Monday to draw up a strategy for a nationwide campaign against the bid to dilute the UPA legislation.
On Wednesday, the Congress clearly ruled out supporting the amendments proposed by the government to the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
Meeting tomorrowWith other political parties in the Opposition also critical of the amendments — already promulgated through an ordinance — the Congress now wants to take up the issue in an organised manner.
Monday’s meeting is aimed at apprising general secretaries in-charge of various States with the issues that need to be raised so that Pradesh Congress Committees can build up a campaign against the amendments in their respective States.
Critiquing the ordinance, the Congress said it relaxes the requirements of consent and social impact assessment survey for five specified areas — thereby bringing back coercion in land acquisition — and eases acquisition of multi-crop land which, in turn, could affect food security of the country.
