All pro-farmer parties should oppose land ordinance: Congress

New Delhi, Dec 30: Stepping up attack against the government over the ordinance to change Land Acquisition Act, Congress today reached out to other political parties asking them to come together to oppose the "anti-farmer" amendments.

The party alleged that the NDA dispensation has through this sent a message that it is a "government of corporates by the corporates and for the corporates". "NDA is a Government of Ordinances. Apparent now whom they represent. Amending Land Acquisition Act is Anti Farmer and BJP is Anti Farmer," party general secretary Digvijay Singh said on Twitter.

Singh also declared that "Congress would oppose every move to dilute Land Acquisition Act" and reached out to other outfits saying "all political parties who are pro Farmers must come together to oppose it." Former Union Minister Manish Tewari alleged that by "diluting" the Land Acquisition Act this govt has sent out a message that "it is a government of the corporates by the corporates and for the corporates."

Slamming the government over the Ordinance to amend Land Acquisition Act within a week after end of Parliament session, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi had yesterday said that every word changed in the law brought by the UPA will have to stand scrutiny of Parliament during the Budget session.

Noting that "Ordinance Raj" cannot last beyond the budget session, Singhvi had alleged that the government resorted to as it was "scared and afraid" of public accountability. The Union Cabinet had approved the Ordinance to amend the Land Acquisition Act yesterday.

Union Cabinet had approved the Ordinance to amend the Land Acquisition Act

Amid the controversy over Government's decision to make significant amendments in the Land Acquisition Act, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last night said that changes in the law were required to ensure faster processing without compromising on compensation or relief and rehabilitation measures for farmers.

Government had on Monday recommended promulgation of an ordinance making significant changes in the Act including removal of consent clause for acquiring land for five areas of industrial corridors, PPP projects, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and defence.

PTI