Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision for not re-promulgating the land ordinance, saying it reflects his 'faith in democracy' and a decision made in favour of the farming community.
The chief minister said the Land Acquisition Bill was also in the interest of the people, but Opposition parties had created a "false" feeling of fear in the minds and hearts of the farmers.
But keeping in view the present scenario, the decision of Prime Minister is highly appreciable, because he is farmers' well-wisher and his main objective is to ensure welfare of the farmers, he said. CM saidHaryana is an agrarian state and 65 % of its population is directly or indirectly related to agriculture.
Not only this, 15.3 % share of gross domestic product comes from agriculture.
Therefore, in future the land of farmers would be acquired with their consent and by evaluating its social impact. While referring to the steps taken for the welfare of farmers, Khattar said the previous government had started the process to acquire 3,664 acres four kanal (unit) land in 16 villages in district Rewari for Manesar-Bawal Industrial Area and Logistic Hub.
After farmers protested, the present government took a decision in the interest of farmers and cancelled the acquisition of 3,664 acres and four kanal land in 16 villages of Bawal.
He also said that this was the only decision in the country in which the land was made free from acquisition and returned to the farmers in view of their interest.
The present government has also decided that in future, land of farmers would be acquired only with their consent and by evaluating its social impact, the CM said.
In case any landowner wanted to sell his land of his own, the government would acquire his land under a policy and it would also set up a land bank under a scheme of social and economic development, he stated.
In case land is required for any project, it would be advertised through newspapers.
Thereafter, the process would be initiated to purchase land with his consent under a policy. If such a land is divided into pieces, the government can amend the Consolidation Act to consolidate it at one place, he said.
