Amid sharp controversy over the Land Acquisition Bill, the Narendra Modi-led NDA Government on Thursday challenged the opposition and social activists for an open debate on the matter.
"We invite the opposition and NGOs for an open debate in front of the media on Land Acquisition Bill. I have also written a letter to Sonia Gandhi and Anna Hazare and have given them an invitation for an open discussion," said Union Minister for Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
"We have requested the leaders of various political parties and social activists to come on a platform, whether in electronic or print media and have an open discussion," he added.
The opposition parties have united over the contentious bill, claiming that it is an anti-farmer legislation. The opposition leaders had earlier on Tuesday marched from the Parliament to the President's House to protest against the bill.
Earlier this month, the Lok Sabha passed The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, 2015 amid a walkout by opposition parties even as the government moved nine amendments to address the concerns raised by farmers.
The proposed legislation removes the need for obtaining consent of land-owners and carrying out social impact assessment (SIA) for acquiring land under certain categories-precisely the provisions which had raised the heckles of critics.
The bill faces a tough call in the Rajya Sabha where the government is in minority.
The bill will replace an ordinance promulgated by the government in December last year which amended the earlier law passed by the Congress-led UPA regime in 2013.