Faced with mounting protests from farmers across the country against the land acquisition Bill, an agitation threat by veteran social activist Anna Hazare, and a united Opposition MPs marching in protest to the President, the Government on Thursday said it was ready for an open debate on the issue in any forum.
“We have not made any compromises on compensation and rehabilitation. None of the proposed provisions of the Bill are anti-farmer. Instead, it will ensure prosperity of farmers,” Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said in an open letter.
Defending the controversial amendments to the earlier Bill passed by the UPA in 2013 related to the consent clause and social impact assessment, Gadkari said he had invited Sonia Gandhi and Hazare for an open debate on any aspect of the legislation.
"I have written a letter to Sonia Gandhi and Anna Hazare and have given them invitation for an open discussion," Gadkari told reporters here.
The contentious Bill is awaiting clearance in the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill last week with nine amendments amid a walk-out by key Opposition parties.
Denying the Oppostion’s charge that they were not consulted before making key changes in the earlier Bill, Gadkari said a meeting had been held in Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan with all the State Ministers concerned. Almost all States were represented, he said, adding that “we also have letters by those State Chief Ministers.”
Earlier, addressing farmers at a ‘Samiksha Adhiveshan’ on the Bill organised by All India Panchayat Parishad here, Gadkari said an attempt was being by the Opposition parties to “mislead” farmers for vote bank politics.
“Our government will never take any decision that does injustice with farmers,” he added.