Government may issue 're-ordinance' on land bill, says Rural Development Minister Birender Singh

The government is likely to make another effort for a consensus on the land bill with opposition parties and may issue a "re-ordinance", Union Minister Birender Singh said on Wednesday.

"We are thinking to make one more attempt and talk to other political parties so that we may have a consensus. As everyone is aware Land Acquisition Ordinance will expire on April 5, may be we will have to issue re-ordinance," the Union Rural Development Minister said addressing a news conference in Chandigarh.

"We will get in touch with the opposition parties so that a consensus is arrived at, which is in country's interests and farmers' interests. We are hopeful that we will be successful and the Act with new amendments will take the shape of a law," the minister said.

Singh blamed the Congress for starting a "misinformation campaign" on the land bill to "mislead the farmers and the people".

He asked media not to be misled by the "lies" being spread that the bill was anti-farmer. He said that the government was trying to address few concerns of the farmers.

Regarding the provision of going for acquisition of more land for future expansion of a particular project, Singh said "We will talk to opposition parties in this regard. We are trying to ensure that farmers' interests remain protected and excess land is not taken from them unnecessarily under the plea of future expansion".

He said they were also mulling to have a Committee headed by MLA and MP of a concerned area where the land is to be acquired since they can raise the farmers' concerns.