Repromulgation of Land Bill an 'affront to Parliament: Congress

The Congress Party on Saturday slammed the Centre for the repromulgation of the Land Bill, terming the move an 'affront' to the Parliament and 'travesty of justice' for the farmers.

"The repromulgation of the Land Ordinance by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government for a third time is a cruel breach of faith and a travesty of justice with India's farmers. It is an affront to the Parliament, which refused to put its stamp of approval on the bill," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

"This proves the duplicity of the Prime Minister, who stands exposed: who only yesterday said that his government is open to reviewing the anti-farmer Land Ordinance. The Congress condemns this sinister design of the Prime Minister Modi government to surreptitiously push through the Land Ordinance after agreeing to get it re-examined through a Joint Committee of the Parliament. The Congress demands that the government should forthwith withdraw the ordinance and apologize to the nation for its subversive designs," he added.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, today approved the repromulgation of the Land Acquisition Bill.

The ordinance, which is currently with the Joint Committee of the Parliament for a detailed discussion on its provisions, is due to expire on June 3.