We will let land ordinance lapse now, declares Modi

MANN KI BAAT Farmers should not have any doubts or fears, says Prime Minister

NEW DELHI: Pointing out that it was on the demand of the states that the government had proposed changes to the land acquisition bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that the land ordinance would be allowed to lapse, restoring the situation that had prevailed before the NDA came to power last year.

In his monthly radio show, Mann Ki Baat, the PM assured farmers his government wouldn’t do anything to hurt their interests and declared willingness to incorporate any suggestion in the land law that would benefit them. He said 13 points would be added to the law to ensure farmers didn’t suffer financial losses.

The ordinance, which was issued thrice, had removed the consent clause and social impact assessment, among other provisions, to make the land law more “industry- friendly”. It now expires on Monday.

The bill is currently being examined by a joint committee of Parliament to which it was referred by Rajya Sabha during the budget session.

Modi’s announcement comes in the wake of his government’s inability to push the proposed amendments to the land bill in the recently concluded monsoon session amid widespread opposition. The Congress had led the agitation against the land ordinance, calling it “anti-farmer” and “pro-rich”.

Targeting the Opposition, the PM said the amendments to the 2013 law were proposed in the first place on the demand of the states, but that misinformation was spread about the law that scared farmers.

“Many rumours were spread about the bill. So much fear was instilled among farmers. We don’t want that. Farmers should neither have doubts nor fear,” Modi said, adding that he would not allow anybody to create such fear. “For our government, ‘Jai jawan, jai kisan’ is not just a slogan but a mantra.”

Pointing out that “amending the bill had become essential to free it from red tape”, the PM said the government was open to suggestions.

Many rumours were spread about the (land) bill. So much fear was instilled among farmers... Farmers should neither have doubts nor fears. For our government, ‘Jai jawan, jai kisan’ is not just a slogan but a mantra.

PM NARENDRA MODI, on Mann Ki Baat

“Every voice is important but the voice of farmers is extremely significant.”

Making it official that it was abandoning the ordinance route, the Centre had Friday issued an executive order to ensure continuity of higher compensation and rehabilitation for land-losers irrespective of the purpose for which their land had been acquired.

Modi said the government had incorporated 13 aspects of village development in the ordinance but the matter had become complicated because of controversies. “Now, since the ordinance is being allowed to expire, the government has notified rules for these 13 aspects that will come into effect from today to address this incomplete work,” the PM said. With the notification of rules, farmers will get compensation for land acquired as per the existing Act of 2013, sources said.