Open to changes in land bill that benefit poor, farmers: PM

Says if the suggestions are in favour of village, poor and farmers then those suggestions will be accepted

Amendments in the land acquisition bill in the interest of farmers, poor, village and nation will be accepted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today asserting that along with GST bill the measure will be passed by Parliament in "a matter of time".

"Gaon, Garib, Kisan (village, poor and farmers): if the suggestions are favourable to these downtrodden groups and are in the interests of the nation, we will accept those suggestions," he told PTI in an interview.

He was asked whether the government would accommodate the views of the Opposition since there is a deadlock on the land bill. Both the land and GST bills have been referred to parliamentary committees and government is hoping they will be passed in the monsoon session of Parliament.

To a question on the pace of economic reforms being affected by the problems faced on crucial legislations like Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Land Bill in Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister said both the measures were beneficial for the country.

"The core essence of these Bills should be appreciated by all the parties keeping aside political motives. Long term interest of the nation should be foremost.

"The fact that the States have agreed to the GST design, shows the maturity of our federal system and the GST Bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha. It is a matter of time before these laws are passed," he said.

To another question on what kind of message would foreign investors get if reform measures are not passed, he said, "One of the peculiarities of Delhi is that the term 'reform' is associated only with passing of laws in Parliament."

In fact, he said, the most important reforms needed are those without new laws, at various levels of Government, in work practices and procedures.