<p>The controversial Land Acquisition Bill was introduced by the government in the Lok Sabha today amid vociferous protests by an NDA ally as also the entire opposition.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Almost the entire opposition staged a walk-out calling the bill "anti-farmer and anti-poor".<br />As Rural Development Minister Birender Singh sought Speaker Sumitra Mahajan's permission to introduce the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, <br />Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill 2015, virtually the entire opposition was on its feet and members of Congress, SP, TMC, AAP, RJD and Left, among others, trooped into the Well.<br /><br />Raju Shetty, whose party Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathana is an NDA ally, also opposed the measure, saying it would be disastrous for the farming community.<br /><br />Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu tried to placate the opposition members, saying the BJP government was willing to discuss all provisions of the bill but his effort went in vain.<br /><br />Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge said the bill, which seeks to replace an land ordinance, was "anti-farmer and in fact anti-people."<br /><br />"If government had consulted all parties instead of bringing in the ordinance, then it would have been a different matter. But it wants to bulldoze its way," he said as party President Sonia Gandhi was heard telling treasury benches to let him speak.<br /><br />Sougata Roy of TMC opposed the bill with "all the force at my command", while BJD's Bhratruhari Mahtab said his party was opposed to certain major clauses of the measure.<br />Opposition members staged a walk-out as soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed Singh to introduce the bill following a voice vote.<br /><br />Naidu accused the opposition parties of "insulting" democracy and said "minority cannot dictate to the majority".<br /><br />He said the erstwhile Congress Chief Minister of Maharashtra had written to the then UPA government in protest against the land acquisition law, which the BJP government now seeks to amend.<br /><br />Naidu also noted that 32 states and Union Territories had made a representation to the Centre, demanding change in the law as it made development "impossible".<br /><br />"Our government gives top priority to the welfare of farmers. We are willing to discuss all points," Naidu said. <br /></p>
<p>The controversial Land Acquisition Bill was introduced by the government in the Lok Sabha today amid vociferous protests by an NDA ally as also the entire opposition.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Almost the entire opposition staged a walk-out calling the bill "anti-farmer and anti-poor".<br />As Rural Development Minister Birender Singh sought Speaker Sumitra Mahajan's permission to introduce the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, <br />Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill 2015, virtually the entire opposition was on its feet and members of Congress, SP, TMC, AAP, RJD and Left, among others, trooped into the Well.<br /><br />Raju Shetty, whose party Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathana is an NDA ally, also opposed the measure, saying it would be disastrous for the farming community.<br /><br />Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu tried to placate the opposition members, saying the BJP government was willing to discuss all provisions of the bill but his effort went in vain.<br /><br />Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge said the bill, which seeks to replace an land ordinance, was "anti-farmer and in fact anti-people."<br /><br />"If government had consulted all parties instead of bringing in the ordinance, then it would have been a different matter. But it wants to bulldoze its way," he said as party President Sonia Gandhi was heard telling treasury benches to let him speak.<br /><br />Sougata Roy of TMC opposed the bill with "all the force at my command", while BJD's Bhratruhari Mahtab said his party was opposed to certain major clauses of the measure.<br />Opposition members staged a walk-out as soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed Singh to introduce the bill following a voice vote.<br /><br />Naidu accused the opposition parties of "insulting" democracy and said "minority cannot dictate to the majority".<br /><br />He said the erstwhile Congress Chief Minister of Maharashtra had written to the then UPA government in protest against the land acquisition law, which the BJP government now seeks to amend.<br /><br />Naidu also noted that 32 states and Union Territories had made a representation to the Centre, demanding change in the law as it made development "impossible".<br /><br />"Our government gives top priority to the welfare of farmers. We are willing to discuss all points," Naidu said. <br /></p>