Amid row over the Centre's Land Acquisition Bill, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel today assured farmers her government would never acquire their land forcibly to be given to corporate houses and accused the Opposition of "misleading" the public on the measure.
Some political parties are "misleading" farmers about the Bill, an official release quoted the Chief Minister as saying at a function in Bharuch, about 200 km from here.
In a veiled attack at Opposition Congress, she said it is the same party which forcibly acquired farmlands when in power and sold grazing (gauchar) fields to others.
Coming out in strong support of changes in the 2013 Land Act, Patel said while drafting the Bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept the interest of farmers in his mind.
Urging farmers not to pay heed to those opposing the legislation, she said such forces are only hindering the development process, the release said.
Patel said in the last 15 years the BJP government in Gujarat never acquired land forcibly from any farmer.
"All land required to lay canals from Kevadia to Kutch was given by farmers voluntarily. I want to assure you that except for public utility works, not even one inch of land will be acquired from farmers and if we acquire land for public use, we will give adequate compensation."
She said Gujarat government had created a system where the state's rule does not come into the picture when private companies want land, the release stated.
"We have developed a system where farmers negotiate with corporates to sell their land. I want to assure you that the state government will never acquire land from farmers forcibly and give it to corporates," Patel said, according to the release.
