Former Punjab CM slams Modi govt over land ordinance

Former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal today tore into the NDA government over the controversial land ordinance, alleging that it was "anti-farmer" and impinged on the right of farmers to preserve their land.
"Land acquisition ordinance promulgated by Narendra Modi government is anti-farmer and impinges on the right of farmers to preserve their land," she said.
"The ordinance allows the land of farmers to be acquired for industrial purposes without their permission," she said.
Bhattal termed the ordinance as an "absolute joke and humiliation" for the farmers, whose land is means of their livelihood.
The Congress leader also attacked the Centre for what she alleged decisions contrary to the interests of farmers.

Before coming to power, BJP had promised in its election manifesto that it would take utmost care of the interests of farmers, including ensuring a minimum of 50 per cent profit over the cost of production, cheaper agriculture inputs and credit as per the recommendations of Swaminathan Committee, Bhattal said.

However, she said, "the Modi government in its affidavit submitted in the Supreme Court in response to the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) took a different stand on it contending that it would not be able to raise the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural produce to be 50 per cent more than the cost of input".

Bhattal, in a statement here, claimed that a few days ago the NDA government was censured by the Supreme Court for not paying compensation to "poor farmers" of Punjab.
The senior Congress leader said, "Strong remarks of SC reprimanding Central government in regard to withholding of compensation to farmers of Punjab on account of land has exposed the real face of Modi government."
"It has become merely a drum-beating government. It made false promises and failed to deliver anything substantial on the ground," she said.