UP CM rebuts charge of profiting in land deals

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Thursday rebutted allegations that the state government had been transferring land acquired from farmers at cheap rates to private developers at astronomical prices.

Announcing the new state land acquisition policy, she said over 50 per cent of total land acquired is utilised for green belt, roads and public utilities/amenities.

Among other benefits, the new policy entails handing over 16 per cent of developed land to the affected farmers by developers. “This new provision is a historic step by Uttar Pradesh and it should be replicated nationally by the Centre,” she added.

Mayawati said Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) would press the Centre for enacting a new national land acquisition policy in the monsoon session of Parliament. “If the Centre fails to act, we will stage ‘gherao’ of Parliament,” she said.

Mayawati charged Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government with adopting partisan attitude by applauding acquisition policy of Haryana. (PLAN PROPOSAL)

“Farmers want development, but not at the cost of livelihood and their future, therefore we have framed the new policy,” she said. The chief minister castigated opposition for rabble-rousing in Lucknow on land acquisition issue for vested political interests.

“The Bhatta-Parsaul issue was not related to land acquisition, but the opposition parties instigated farmers against the government,” she claimed. Mayawati reiterated her government would not allow ‘anyone’ to disturb the law and order situation.

Last month, in a farmers’ agitation in Gautam Budh Nagar district (Greater Noida), two farmers and as many cops, had lost their lives in a bloody clash.

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi had sneaked into the troubled spot and sat on dharna with farmers. He was arrested, but later set free. Leaders of other parties were prevented from entering ‘ground zero’. Since then, the government has been under intense media scrutiny and scathing attack from opposition parties, including Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Samajwadi Party.