Opposition seeks Modi’s statement on land bill

A demand was made in the joint committee of Parliament, looking into the contentious land acquisition bill, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement in the first week on the government’s plans on the issue. However, the ruling BJP and ally Shiv Sena rejected the idea of calling the PM.

Opposition members, including the TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee, said that since the Prime Minister had himself made it clear in his August 30 ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio broadcast that the land ordinance will not be re-promulgated, there is no point in examining the bill since it is a copy of the ordinance.

Mr Banerjee also demanded that the Prime Minister be called as a witness to explain the bill.

His demand was supported by the Congress members who said the panel was free to call anyone as witness.

However, the BJP and Shiv Sena members opposed this demand.

The NDA members also said that the committee has been mandated to submit its report on the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 and it should adhere to its responsibility.

Before the meeting was adjourned, panel chairman S S Ahluwalia suggested that the panel get another extension till the end of the Winter session on December 23 to submit its report.