Land bill 'farmer friendly': Nitin Gadkari

The government Wednesday defended its land acquisition ordinance calling it "farmer friendly" and added that it is "open minded" about suggestions.

Addressing a press conference in parliament house here, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said the ordinance had to be brought before Dec 31.

The minister added that the land that would be acquired will be used for rural infrastructure projects like irrigation and roads which will help the rural population.

He also said the central government did not intend to acquire any land for the private sector or corporates.

"Even the industrial corridor the ordinance talks about will not be more than 2 km wide, and will host agro-processing industries. It will help farmers," he said.

"It is a misunderstanding that we will acquire land for private sector. The projects which will be in PPP mode (Public-Private Partnership) will be ultimately owned by government," Gadkari said.

"The industrialist today does not want government acquired land. They prefer buying the land. The land that will be acquired under this law will be used for public purposes," he added.