Gadkari says land acquisition bill not against farmers

Gadkari's statement comes close on the heels of Shiv Sena having decided to launch a statewide agitation opposing the Bill

Union Minister of Roads and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday said he would reach out to political parties, including Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, the Opposition Nationalist Congress Party and anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare, to address their objections against the Ordinance on land acquisition law.

Gadkari said the opposition to the law was based on perception and not on actual facts and announced the Centre was open to suggestions by parties and various organisations.

Gadkari’s move comes after the Shiv Sena decided to launch a state-wide agitation opposing the land acquisition law. Uddhav has been leading scathing attacks against the Centre and has asked his party leaders to approach the people against the law.     

Gadkari said the provisions especially with regard to consent by land owners and social impact assessment were not against farmers and added that the law will spur growth while taking farmers on board. Farmers will be paid four times of the prevailing land price to farmers.

Gadkari told reporters that the Centre has already paid compensation of Rs 3,000 crore to farmers  comprising Rs 1,400 crore by the National Highways Authority of India and Rs 1,600 crore by the Coal India.

Gadkari refuted charges made by parties that amendments to land acquisition law were in favour of builders and industrialists. ‘’It is not a reality. There won’t be any compromise on compensation to farmers. The clause with regard to 80% consent has been dropped for social and rural infrastructure projects including irrigation, hospitals, schools, industrial corridors and road projects under the Prime Minister’s Sadak Yojana. It will help decentralization of industries,’’ he said.

As far as irrigation development is concerned, projects especially in Maharashtra, where only 16.8% area is under irrigation against the national average of 48.3%, Gadkari said not a single irrigation project can come up unless and until 80% farmers give consent. ‘’Lack of irrigation has resulted in rise in farmers suicides and it will continue to happen. Therefore the consent clause be dispensed with,’’ he added.