Govt to look into farmers concerns on land ordinance

Facing opposition pressure in Rajya Sabha, Government tonight indicated that it was open to look into concerns of farmers over the land acquisition ordinance, amidst expectations that provisions in the bill to replace it could be amended to accommodate critics.
This emerged after an informal meeting of BJP Parliamentary Board chaired by party chief Amit Shah and attended by senior ministers including Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who had earlier held discussions with a number of farmer representatives.
"There are several issues in the minds of farmers. We have an inclination to ponder and go into these concerns," Union Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters after the over two-hour meeting at Rajnath Singh's residence.

The Home Minister has held meetings with representatives of 27 farmer organisations, including today, and the discussions will continue tomorrow when the bill replacing the ordinance will be introduced in Lok Sabha.
The government's indications of a rethinking on the controversial land bill appears to have come in the face of stiff opposition from political parties and its lack of numbers in the Rajya Sabha.
"In today's informal meeting of the Parliamentary Board, important issues before Parliament, including the Land bill were discussed. There have been various concerns raised by farmer representatives during their meetings with the Home Minister and we have taken note of them.

"On the concerns raised by farmer organisations and representatives, we feel there is a need to take note of them and we are ready to consider them," Kumar said.