Amendment of Land Acquisition Act 1880: Govt

New Delhi, Feb 23: Stung by farmers' countrywide uproar against acquisition of their land by state governments for setting up Special Economic Zones(SEZs) and industries, the Centre has decided to amend the Land Acquisition Act of 1880s and bring in a new rehabilitation policy for the displaced.

Making a reference to this effect in his address to the joint session of Parliament today, President APJ Abdul Kalam said the government was committed to ''bringing a new rehabilitation policy backed by amendments in the Land Acquisition Act wherever necessary.'' ''Acquisition of agricultural land for industrial development and related purpose and terms of compensation have become issues of major concern in our country,'' the President said while pointing out that concerns of farmers were genuine but there was also a need to use land to generate employment through industry and related activities.

''Humane rehabilitation and the need for fair pricing of agricultural land need to be addressed both in policy and law,'' he said hinting at discomfort of the UPA government and its allies over the adverse propaganda generated by the farmers' agitations against acquisition of their land for SEZs in various states, including the Left parties-ruled West Bengal.

The President's address also referred to the UPA government's realisation that agriculture had to be made a viable avocation for the farmers through credible measures like enhancing investment in farm system and technologies, improving marketing channels and providing risk management facilities.

The government has also set up an expert group to look into the problem of agricultural indebtedness which will suggest measures to provide relief to farmers in distress. Already, a special package of Rs 16,000 crores is being implemented in 31 districts worst-affected by farmers' suicides. Apart from that, the target of doubling the credit flow to agriculture has been met. Besides, the cooperative credit structure is being revived with a package of Rs 13,000 crores.

To give thrust to agricultural research and transfer of new technologies to the field, a National Agriculture Innovation Project (NAIP) has been approved, the President said.

In addition to that, the government's attempt to boost production in dryland farming, covering 65 per cent of the country's cultivated land has been yielding good results with the setting up of the National Rainfed Area Authority. Similarly, the National Horticulture Mission is helping farmers diversify into more income generating crops.

Dr Kalam said the government was committed to providing food security to the poor by strengthening Public Distribution System (PDS) and at the same time ensuring better prices to farmers for wheat and coarse grain crops.

''Timely and appropriate decisions have improved the lot of sugarcane farmers, reducing arrears to an all time low,'' he said.

UNI