New Delhi: The Narendra Modi-led NDA government is committed for the welfare of farmers and urged them not to label the alliance as anti-farmer, Union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday.
The government was open to discussion with all political parties at any platform who were raising a hue and cry on the Land Acquisition Bill, Mr Gadkari said while addressing the All India Panchayat Parishad here.
“The UPA government’s Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 has exempted 13 Acts from the social impact and consent clause, which included the Coal Bearing Areas Act, 1957, the Atomic Energy Act 1962, Railway Act 1989 and the National Highway Act, 1956.
“We have made amendments keeping in mind the rural development, irrigation facilities and security of the country,” he added.
Assuring a farmers’ delegation, the Minister said while making the amendments, the government has not compromised on the issue of compensating and rehabilitating the affected ryots.
The government would only acquire land after the compensation has been fully paid to them. Four-time market rate compensation would be given to them if it falls in rural areas and two times if the land was acquired from urban areas, he added.
The aim of the new Land Bill was complete rehabilitation, the Minister assured the farmers.
He said with this new bill, a farmer will have the right to file complaint or appeal in his own district and the bill also has the provision of trying a guilty official in the court of law.
Mr Gadkari said last year, he had a meeting with Ministers of state governments. The letters of the Chief Ministers are also with the government. Whatever amendments were made in the bill, it was based on the suggestions made by the Chief Ministers. He said his government was open to any suggestions made by any party if they find any of the amendments made were hampering the farmers. (UNI)
