"From the kind of feedbacks we have got so far during the consultation, we have gathered that people are generally not happy with the new amendments. There are certain perception issues too which we are explaining to them. However, if they still disagree on certain points we are including that in our report," he added.
The BJP panel which is seeking suggestions on the proposed land acquisition bill has found that the amendments are unexpectedly being perceived "harmful" by farmers while there were certain issues which needed to be dealt with like dispute redressal, according to its members.
"We are meeting people from various farmer unions and agricultural organisations and seeking their views to understand what their objections are to the clauses of the ordinance. We will give consolidated feedback to party president who will further consult with senior leaders and take a call," said former Union Minister Satyapal Malik, who is the convener of the eight member committee.
He was speaking on the second day of three-day consultations.
"From the kind of feedbacks we have got so far during the consultation, we have gathered that people are generally not happy with the new amendments. There are certain perception issues too which we are explaining to them. However, if they still disagree on certain points we are including that in our report," he added.
Asked about why such consultations were not held prior to the ordinance, Malik said, "The amendments are not as harmful as they are being perceived. We did not expect that it will be perceived like this. However, this is no prestige issue if people have objections.
We will deliberate on them." Another member Gopal Agarwal said, " People are expressing their concerns. We are fighting more a battle of perception than facts. The concern is not only about the four ammendments but the Land Act in general. We are for the interest of farmers and land owners and we will take care of their concerns."
"Another thing we have observed from the feedbacks is there is no dispute redressal mechanism if there are issues like compensation," he added.
Agarwal said that the committee will submit its feedback and recommendations by end of this week.
Mahipal Singh, a farmer from Bilaspur, who came to attend the consultation said, "There are serious issues with the way circle rates are calculated. When the lands are acquired the rate is different when we get compensation the rates are different. There is no fixed system."
The Committee, comprising seven party MPs, was formed by BJP President Amit Shah on Wednesday.
The other members of the Committee are MPs Bhupender Yadav, Ram Narayan Dudi, Hukam Dev Narayan, Rakesh Singh, Sanjay Dhotre and Suresh Angadi, besides a chartered accountant Gopal Agarwal.
Several farmers' organisations have voiced serious concerns on the proposed amendments in the bill, fearing that it will be detrimental to farmers' interests.
Government is claiming that the amended bill to replace the land acquisition ordinance is "pro-farmer" but the opposition parties have termed it as "anti-farmer" and have opposed the move in both Houses of Parliament.
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