Cong seeks payment to Bihta farmers as per new Acquisition Act

The opposition Congress today came in support of the agitating farmers of Bihta in Patna district, who are demanding adequate compensation for their land acquired for construction of an IIT and other projects.
Extending support to the farmers, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) president Ashok Chaudhary today demanded that they should be paid compensation afresh in accordance with Land Acquisition Act passed by Parliament during monsoon session.
"The Bihta farmers should get compensation afresh in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act enacted by Parliament this monsoon session," Chaudhary said in a statement issued here today.
He criticised the state government paying differential compensation amount to farmers from whom 500 acres of land has been acquired for construction of IIT and other mega projects like NIT and economic zone.

The BPCC chief asked Nitish Kumar government to talk to the protesting farmers and accept their demand.
"The Bihar government will be responsible for delay in construction of IIT because of the farmers stir," he said.

Lalu Prasad's RJD has also supported the farmer's demand.
Senior RJD MP Ramkripal Yadav has demanded intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to end the agitation of farmers at Bihta in Patna district for not getting adequate compensation against their land acquired for construction of an IIT.
In a letter to the prime minister, Yadav, a Rajya Sabha member and a close confidante of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, complained that the state government has not paid adequate compensation to farmers, who gave their land for setting up an IIT.