Aam Aadmi Party reaction on PM’s announcement on land acquisition ordinance.

The announcement by the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi today that his government will NOT repromulgate any further the controversial Land Acquisition Ordinance is an acceptance of BJP-led NDA regime’s ant-people and anti-farmer moves. The Modi government by giving up on its efforts to bring a pro-corporate land ordinance has indeed acknowledged

it had unsuccessfully tried to twist people’s will unsuccessfully.

The role of the BJP in Land Acquisition Bill is both interesting and worrying. First, while in the opposition, it teamed up with the UPA to pass the Bill in 2013 and after coming to power it further intended to tweak the bill to benefit its corporate friends. After unsuccessfully trying thrice to thrust upon the bill on the people, today, it finally accepted that it was a mistake.

While posturing with the people as apologetic in his address through radio, Prime Minister has tried another trick to inculcate some of his motives in the Land Bill by including 13 points through executive orders in the Act. This act is again a breach of democratic values and basic tenets of legislation.

Aam Aadmi Party demands that Modi government should desist from any move to amend the Land rule through executive orders. Any such change should be made only after proper deliberation in Parliament and by taking into confidence the different stake holders.

The government is trying to unleash a farce on the country by calling these executive orders as farmer friendly. What is beneficial for the farmers can be best judged only if it is scrutinized properly. After trying the path of the back door legislation of ordinance, the government is now relying on the bureaucratic tyranny of executive orders to inculcate its pro-corporate intentions to rob land from the farmers.

Mere rechristening of a ministry and superficially talking about farmer’s welfare does not result in the real welfare of the tillers and farmers of the country. The government should set its priorities clear. Aam Aadmi Party would continue to push for pro-people policies and would challenge Modi government with all its might if it goes against the welfare of the people and farmers in particular.