Govt. Ready to Talk to Opposition on Consent Clause in Land Bill : Minister Nitin Gadkari

25 Feb, New Delhi

Government today said, it is ready to talk to opposition parties on the consent clause and social impact assessment provisions in the Land Acquisition Bill.

Briefing reporters in New Delhi, Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said, the opposition parties are questioning the Bill on the basis of some perception, but in reality, it is different.

Gadkari said, the opposition is trying to confuse people by saying that the legislation is for the corporates. He said the Bill is aimed at the development of rural infrastructure like irrigation projects, construction of hospitals and schools. He also urged the opposition to rise above party politics to support the Bill. The Minister howeve

He asserted the Centre will never compromise on the issue of fair compensation and rehabilitation to the farmers.

Attacking the opposition parties on the issue, Gadkari said they are adopting double standards on the bill. He said the then Congress governments in Haryana and Maharashtra had lowered the compensation package and even questioned the consent clause. He said, now the Congress party is raising such issue in Parliament merely for doing politics.

The Minister said that his government has given more than two thousand crore rupees as compensation to the farmers so far. He said several infrastructure projects are stalled due to no clarity on the Land Acquisition Bill.

Replying to a question about the objections raised by some NDA allies and RSS related outfits on the Bill, Gadkari said, there is some confusion among them and the government will sort it out.