Congress to protest against land ordinance tomorrow

CHANDIGARH: Congress will hold a protest here tomorrow against the ordinance brought by the BJP-led Centre making changes in the land acquisition act.

"The protest will focus on the anti-farmer amendments in the Land Acquisition Act made by the Narendra Modi government," Pardeep Chhabra, the president of Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee, said noting that even social activist Anna Hazare had decided to hold a protest against these amendments tomorrow.

"Tomorrow, the Congress workers and farmers will move the Governor by submitting a letter of memorandum demanding immediate withdrawal of the ordinance," he said.

On December 31, the BJP government had brought an ordinance making significant changes in the Land Acquisition Act, which included removal of consent clause for acquiring land for five areas of industrial corridors, PPP projects, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and defence, he said.

Meanwhile, Indian National Lok Dal leader and Member of Parliament Dushyant Chautala has also opposed the bill and has stressed on a "unified fight" in order to protect the rights of farmers.

"The land ordinance bill is completely anti-farmer. Instead of everyone protesting separately against the BJP over the issue, everyone should become united in the fight for the rights of farmers," he said.