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Asserting that the Centre's proposed amendments to the 2013 Land Acquisition Act will benefit only few corporates, opposition parties today said they will step up their fight against the new land bill both outside and inside the Parliament.
While the Left parties have planned nationwide protests to register their dissent, the Congress said there would be floor coordination among "like-minded" parties to combat the government in Rajya Sabha over the bill.
"This bill will really help corporates and big business houses. So, it is not in the interest of farmers or those whose livelihood depends on agriculture. And right now, we do not have proper people-friendly land use policy.
"The distressing trend is transfer of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes. That will affect our food security. So, we are opposed to this bill," CPI's Rajya Sabha MP D Raja said on the sidelines of an event organised by All India Peace and Solidarity Organization to commemorate 40th anniversary of the liberation of South Vietnam and unification of Vietnam.
The event was also attended by CPI (M) MP Mohammed Salim and Congress leader Manish Tewari besides Vietnam's former ambassador to India, Vu Quang Diem.
Raja expressed concerns over removal of clauses from the 2013 Act such as seeking farmers' consent and conducting social impact assessment before acquiring land.
He said parties like Congress, SP, JD(U), BSP and DMK are opposed to the amendments and added that the Trinamool Congress too is against the bill "as of now".
In Rajya Sabha, he said the opposition parties have two options - one is to defeat the bill on the floor for which the opposition parties will have to remain "consistent" on their stand, or refer it to select committee to buy time.
Outside the Parliament, he said the CPI will hold a nationwide protest on May 14, besides supporting the May 5 rally called by farmers' organisations.
