U-turn on land bill was a wise move by NDA: Govindacharya

Indore (MP), Sep 27: Former BJP general secretary K N Govindacharya today endorsed the NDA government's decision to beat a retreat over the controversial Land Acquisition Bill, saying the BJP-led alliance gained by the move.

"The government's image has grown taller by bowing down to the public pressure in a democracy," the RSS ideologue told PTI in an interview here.

"Merely eight per cent of the industrial projects are stuck for want of land. After realising this, the government took a good step by retreating on the bill," he said to a question.

"We all had earlier asked the government to implement the Land Acquisition Bill, 2013, and review its pros and cons. After its review and introspection, its shortcomings should have been dealt with," he said.

Govindacharya refused to comment on the debate on the need to reconsider the reservations policy.

"Reservations are a sensitive and emotional issue. This isn't the right time to comment," he said.

To another question, he said there was no need for hullabaloo on the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as it formed a very tiny part of the total investment in the country.

About the Narendra Modi government's performance, the outspoken RSS ideologue said it was too early to judge.

"The Union Government has got a mandate for full five years. I don't think it is necessary to evaluate it now in a hurry," he said.

However, he added, "People have high expectations from this government. I feel the intentions of the people running the government are right. As far as evaluation of policies and priorities is concerned, the government needs to be given some time."

He further said that farming, animal husbandry and cow-shelter home management should be linked with Skill India campaign for boosting domestic capital formation.

PTI