A Punjab Congress delegation led by Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Sunil Jakhar on Friday met union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh, urging him to intervene in the ongoing "forcible" acquisition of land from farmers in Punjab that was in sheer violation of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, to be enforced from January 1, 2014.
The delegation that also comprised MPs Ravneet Bittu and Mohinder Singh Kaypee and MLA Jagmohan Kang complained that the state government was enacting the older version of the land acquisition act and enforcing the same to acquire land in SAS Nagar, Ludhiana and Patiala districts for the vested interests of the ruling politicians in the state.
"The state government is trying to circumvent the upcoming farmer-friendly legislation and acquiring huge chunks in Majri block of SAS Nagar district in the name of the New Chandigarh Master Plan (Mullanpur Master Plan).
Jakhar rued that there was resentment among the farming community against the state government and the Punjab Congress leadership was standing by them on the land acquisition issue, determined to oppose the "ulterior" intentions of the state.
Requesting the union government to intervene in the matter, Jakhar said Jairam should personally direct the Akali-BJP government to stop the forcible acquisition of land and offer compensation under the new law being enforced from January 1.
{{/usCountry}}Requesting the union government to intervene in the matter, Jakhar said Jairam should personally direct the Akali-BJP government to stop the forcible acquisition of land and offer compensation under the new law being enforced from January 1.
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