BEIJING: Amid strong resistance to the Land Bill by several political parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asserted that land acquisition will not be allowed to become a “barrier” to growth or a “burden” for farmers.
“Our resources are being allocated with speed and transparency. And, we will make sure that land acquisition does not become a barrier to growth or a burden on farmers,” he said in his address at the Tsinghua University here.
The assertion came three days days after the government was forced to refer the Land Acquisition Bill to a Joint Committee of Parliament in the face of strong opposition to it in Rajya Sabha. The bill seeks to make land acquisition easier for infrastructure and rural projects as well as industrial corridors.
Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, has specifically launched a major campaign against the bill, terming it as “anti-farmer”.
The Prime Minister, who is on an official visit here, said his government was making efforts to revive agriculture sector to boost fortunes of farmers and also to promote growth.
“We are reviving our agriculture sector to restore the fortunes of our farmers and boost our growth,” he added.
Modi, while saying that his government was undertaking “sweeping” reforms, told the Chinese university students, “You will feel the change in India. And, you can see it in our growth rate. It has now increased to 7.5 per cent, and we are encouraged by international experts speak in one voice of higher growth rates.”
He also said that the government has set set timebound goals for providing access to housing, water and sanitation for all citizens and added “this won’t just transform lives, but also generate a new source of economic momentum.”
The India government, Modi said, was creating global skill pool to establish a modern economy with a world class manufacturing sector.
“We are combining traditional strategies with modern economic instruments to eliminate poverty and create security for the poor,” he said.
Modi said his government has launched major financial inclusion schemes, providing funds to the un-banked persons and ensuring efficient and direct transfer of benefits to the poor.
“We are ensuring that insurance and pension schemes reach the poorest,” he said, while referring to the new launched social security schemes and the flagship Jan Dhan Yojana. (AGENCIES)
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