Opposition serving 'personal interests' through arguments on Land Bill: Gadkari

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday accused the opposition of serving 'personal interests' through repeated arguments with regard to the Land Acquisition Bill, reiterating that the legislation is in the best interests of the farmers.

"The entire proposal is for the benefit of the farmers. I have been speaking to farmers in Jharkhand and there is no dissatisfaction amongst the farmers. I believe that the bill will receive the full support of the public," Gadkari told media here.

"Farmers will be compensated four times the value of their land in rural areas, while urban land will fetch them twice the value. The farmers are happy, they have no resentment," he added.

Gadkari further pointed towards the loss of rainwater which could be used for irrigation, highlighting the need for developing infrastructure for the same.

"Around eighty percent of the land acquired by the government is for irrigation purposes. An approximate 70 percent of rainwater flows into the sea and is wasted while only 15-20 percent is collected in reservoirs. Jharkhand has the least amount of land allocated to irrigation, at a little over five percent," he said.

"There is a need for development of irrigational infrastructure to save farmers from resorting to suicide," he added.

The minister also spoke extensively on the planned Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor.

"We have also planned the construction of an industrial corridor from Delhi to Mumbai. Industries which would be set up in Delhi and Mumbai previously will now be set up on Gram Panchayat lands," he said.

"People of villages, children of farmers and labourers will be able to avail employment opportunities in the village itself. They will not have to live in the slums of Delhi and Mumbai," he added.

When asked about relief and compensation for farmers due to extensive crop damage, he stated that the Centre is collecting all relevant information and that he has full faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to give aid to the affected farmers.