Decree on land set for reissue; BJP open to Congress suggestions

Hyderabad: Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday dropped broad hints that the Centre could re-issue the ordinance on the land acquisition Bill.

Speaking here, Mr Naidu said there were provisions in the Consti-tution and precedents set by previous governments on re-issuing an ordinance. It was done by the previous Congress governments, he said.

“Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad questioned the urgency to pass the Bill as Parliament was going into recess on March 20 and would reconvene on April 20. He said, ‘Mr Naidu why are you in a hurry? You adjourn the House on 20th and issue an ordinance. What is there? You can re-issue ordinance.’ It’s on record,” Mr Naidu said.

Asked whether the Centre had decided to re-issue the ordinance, Mr Venkaiah Naidu said, “He (Ghulam Nabi Azad) has already given some ideas. Let’s see.” He said the provisions in the amendment Bill were “pro-farmer” and would “reduce poverty.”

“We had a very productive session where three Bills were passed. I seek the cooperation of the Opposition on the three crucial Bills to fulfil our developmental mandate, ‘Kisan ka vikaas, naya land acquisition Act ke saath. Sab ka saath, sab ka vikaas’. Let the Congress not blindly oppose the Bill. Let its leaders pinpoint the features which are anti-farmer and what amendments they want. We have an open mind,” he said. The other Bills were on GST and black money.

He added, “We have letters from former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chauhan and former Union minister Anand Sharma seeking amendments to the Bill and minutes of the Chief Ministers’ meeting on the issue. I appeal to all parties to enable the Centre to take forward the legislation. Let there be a national debate. Land is a state subject and let states have the liberty and power to implement the new Bill or the old UPA Bill. Let them decide. Where is the problem,” he said.

He added, “Without standing on false prestige, we made nine amendments during the course of the discussion in Parliament. The Prime Minister has assured yesterday (Sunday) if something is lacking, improvements can be made (to the Bill). We are open. Let there be a nationwide debate on merits. Let there be constructive suggestions instead of blindly opposing the Bill for the sake of opposition.”

On other issues, Mr Naidu said the GST Bill which will arrest leakage in taxes and stop harassment of traders and the black money Bills would be passed in the Budget Session, he said.

Mr Naidu criticised Congress leader Digvijay Singh for saying the Opposition had “compromised” with the government and supporting the coal and mines Bills. “He may be speaking out of his own vast experience of 50 years why such compromises are made. But these parties are guided by public interests,” he said.