Amid strong protest by opposition BSP and BJP, Uttar Pradesh Assembly today passed a bill replacing an ordinance that will allow Dalits to sell their land to non-Dalits in the state.
The ordinance to amend the pre-British era revenue law was replaced by UP Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
The Bill allows Dalits to sell their land to non-Dalits even if they are left with less than 3.5 acre of land.
BSP termed the Bill as "anti-Dalit" and BJP staged a walkout.
Radha Mohan Das Agarwal (BJP) feared that land mafia would buy their land at throwaway prices with this amendment and suggested setting up of independent revenue courts.
Rejecting his contention and demand, Revenue Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav said the amendments in the code were in the interest of Dalits and common people. "This will help them (Dalits) get right price of their land," he said.
However, dissatisfied with his reply, BJP members staged a walkout.
