Activists of the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru parliamentary unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Friday in protest of Union government’s ordinance amending the Land Acquisition Act.
Addressing the protestors, S.H. Gurudev, AAP leader, said the ordinance had turned the clock back to the British rule and had provided for land-grab from farmers and tribals without their consent.
Earlier land acquisition was confined to private companies. But under the amendment, its scope had now been broadened to include private entities, he said.
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The earlier stringent provision for punishment for violation of this Act by any government official had been reversed. But the amendment provides immunity to the government officials, he said. The amendment would only benefit the corporate sector, which wanted land at throwaway prices, he alleged.
The farmers and tribals would be hit hard as they would be forced to sell their fertile lands to big companies. The government was trying to implement the “Gujarat model” throughout the country, Mr. Gurudev said.
Such an important legislation which would affect the future of a large number of farmers, who were the backbone of Indian economy, required a thorough debate. Instead the Union government had chosen the route of ordinance.
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Later, the protesters submitted a memorandum at the DC’s Office.