Face-off between AAP leader, Minister over land acquisition

New Delhi, Feb 23: The land acquisition issue on Monday became a cause of a face-off between AAP leader Yogendra Yadav and union Rural Development Minister Birender Singh.

Yadav, who unsuccessfully contested last Lok Sabha polls from Gurgaon in Haryana, tried to corner Singh, who also hails from the state, over dilution of a compensation clause by BJP-led Haryana government.

The debate took place at a programme organised by Aaj Tak channel on Budget. The Minister was on dias talking about compensation of four times of fair value of land in the Ordinance promulgated recently for the land that is taken over for industrial projects.

He also said dilution has been made to the clause in the original bill with regard to acquisition of multi-crop agricultural land only under extra-ordinary circumstances.

"Farmers interest has been taken care of," he said. At this point, the moderator called Yadav, who was to speak at the session after, to ask a question.

Yadav said he, as well as Singh, are from Haryana where the state government of BJP in December lowered by a half the compensation to be paid to farmers for the land taken over for industrial projects.

Singh responded by saying that land was on Concurrent List of the Constitution and "if a state government makes a rule that is not in accordance with the Central law (on the concurrent list subject), that is not considered valid."

He insisted that under the Ordinance promulgated in December, which has to be turned into a law by passing of a Bill during the Budget session of Parliament that began today, the compensation for land is four times the circle rate.

"And this is applicable (to Haryana)." Yadav then said he had a copy of the December 4 notification of the state government which he was ready to share with the minister, which clearly states that the compensation will be only twice the circle rate.

"Please tell, if farmers in Haryana will get Rs 200 or Rs 400 on a circle rate of Rs 100," he asked. To this, the Minister retorted that till such time that "Birendra Singh is there, Haryana's interest will be protected."

PTI