Govt. ready for debate on Land Acquisition Bill: Naidu

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday urged the opposition not to mislead people on the Land Acquisition Bill and said the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre is ready for a debate on the matter.

"The government is ready for a debate. When the bill will be introduced in the Parliament at that time everybody will get a chance to voice their view points. We must all deliberate together," said Naidu.

"And the government is ready to accept suggestions to improve this law. I always say that on behalf of the government. I propose, you want to oppose, oppose, but let the House dispose. Let us not obstruct (functioning of the House), this is only my appeal to opposition parties," he added.

Meanwhile, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the law will break the backs of farmers, adding that his party would oppose it with all its strength.

"The bill will be tabled tomorrow and when it comes up for discussion then all of us will participate. Under the Article 123 of the Indian Constitution, members of my party and other parties, and I myself have sent a resolution and we will oppose the bill with tooth and nail," he said.

The second half of the Budget Session of Parliament, which begins tomorrow, is expected to be a stormy affair with the government determined to push through the Land Acquisition Bill and the opposition making all efforts to stall it.

Besides the Land Acquisition Bill, the Parliament is also scheduled to take up other important bills like the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, the Goods and Services Tax Bill and the Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets (Imposition of Tax) Bill, also called the anti-black money bill.

The Rajya Sabha, which was prorogued in order to re-promulgate the land ordinance, will begin its sittings from April 23.

While the ruling government has a majority of 335 in the Lok Sabha, it does not have strength in the Rajya Sabha.