BJP Krushak Morcha demands amendement to 1894 Land Acquisition Act

Bhubaneswar, Apr 9 (UNI) Orissa BJP Krushak Morcha president Krushna Jagdev today demanded an amendment to the Land Aquisition Act, 1894, and interepretation of the word ''public interest'' in the Act.

Speaking to newspersons here, Mr Jagdev alleged that the fertile lands of the farmers were being acquired in the name of industrialisation and public interest, ignoring the welfare of the farmers.

He demanded that the Act should be amended and the word ''public interest'' should be properly interpreted in the larger interest of the farming community.

Mr Jagdev said the UPA government at the Centre had announced to waive Rs 60 crore farm loans, keeping in mind the coming elections.

He alleged that the Centre had misled the farmers as no budgetary provision was made for the purpose and the waiving of loans would be spread over five years.

''The small and marginal farmers would not be benefitted by it,'' he said.

He said if the Centre was really concerned about the farmers, it should initiate steps to ensure that the banks grant 30 per cent of their total loans for agriculture and the rate of interest should not be more than four per cent under any circumstances.

Mr Jagdev informed that the party's farmers convention, scheduled to be held at Sakhigopal in Puri on May 8, would protest against the ''faulty and anti-agriculture'' policy of the Centre.

He also demanded the government to enact a new law to prevent cow slaughter.

UNI BD DPM DB SR US207