Mumbai: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said the land acquisition ordinance was meant for rural development and building infrastructure in the country and accused the Congress Party of politicising the issue.
“The ordinance on Land Acquisition is going to lapse on August 31. The Government of India has decided not to re-promulgate it… This law was only meant for rural development and infrastructure building but Congress decided to politicize the issue. Unfortunately it could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha because of Congress,” Gadkari told media persons here.
“Many Chief Ministers suggested that the decision to implement the ordinance should be left with the states…In coming time, I am sure the freedom for states to decide on land acquisition will lead to development,” he added Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said earlier that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to not re-promulgate the land ordinance had been taken so that the farmers would not have to face heavy financial losses.
The Centre had earlier issued an order to include 13 Central acts like the National Highway and Railways Acts in the Land Law to extend benefits to those whose land is acquired. Prime Minister Modi in his 11th address to the nation ‘ Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday said that the Ordinance will not be renewed.
“I have decided. The ordinance lapses tomorrow and we will not renew it. It means the situation (Land Act of 2013) before my government taking over has been restored,” Prime Minister Modi said on Sunday.
PTI