Anna Hazare has right to express his opinion on farmers interest, says BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday said that social activist Anna Hazare has right to express his opinion, adding that the government will take full note of what he has to say on the issues of farmers' interest.

"We respect Anna Hazare ji, he has the right to express his opinion. The government will take notice of what he has to say," BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra told mediapersons.

On February 24, Hazare will conduct a protest against the Land Acquisition Act passed as an ordinance by the government. The Gandhian has reportedly also expressed his disappointment over the government failing to fulfil its promise of bringing back the black money stashed abroad and of appointing a Lokpal.

His proposed rally will see social activist Medha Patkar along with 70 organizations across the country also participating to show their solidarity.

In December 2014 the Union Cabinet had approved amendment to the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, stating that the owners of land acquired via laws exempted under the Act will now be eligible for a similar compensation.

The ordinance was necessitated as the government failed to amend as many as 13 central legislations to bring their rehabilitation and resettlement and compensation provisions at par with those of the new Land Acquisition Act for buying land across the country.

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, came into force on January 1, this year.