Mann Ki Baat: PM Narendra Modi says Land Acquisition Bill to safeguard interest of farmers, lashes out at opposition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed farmers in his 'Mann Ki Baat' series on All India Radio'

PM Modi's primary focus was addressing the concerns of farmers regarding Land Acqusition Bill. This is the sixth edition of the radio programme in which the Prime Minister shares his thoughts with the citizens.

Live Updates:

11:42 IST Sunday, 22 March 2015

PM Modi says he will not let farmers down and all the concerns raised by them will be addressed. He asks farmers to raise their concerns so that he can continue to alert concerned departments to take necessary steps. 

11:38 IST Sunday, 22 March 2015

PM Modi says he is willing to change some clauses if genuine concerns are raised. He urges farmers not to get swayed by propaganda of the opposition. He says that their chief goal is empowering farmers. 

11:33 IST Sunday, 22 March 2015

Modi indirectly hits out at NGO's saying people seating in air conditioned rooms often don't have any idea about the ground realities of the villages and farmers. 

He says for government projects consent clause was not there earlier, and it continues to remain the same. But for private projects consent clause is essential. 

Modi says for developmental projects using PPP model, consent clause is not there for the sake of common villagers only. He says while the project will be developed by private body, it would be used by commoners and the ownership will remain with the government. Hence consent clause is eased in all these cases. 

11:27 IST Sunday, 22 March 2015

PM Modi lashes out at opposition who are trying to stall Land Acquisition Bill. He says that those people don't have the best interest of nation in their mind. 

He says that the new law is not pro-corporate. He tries to allay fears of farmers saying they can resort to litigation too if they wish so. 

Modi says that earlier law was resulting in bottlenecks. Hence new law has been drafted for speedy implementation of projects. 

Modi tries to go into the intricacies of the bill  to explain that they have the best interest of farmers in their mind. 

11:20 IST Sunday, 22 March 2015

PM Modi trying to address the concern opposition parties have raised about Land Acquisition Bill. He says that the law which was passed in 2013 had some deficiencies, hence they are being modified. 

Modi says Congress ruled states either failed to implement the act or gave less compensation than that marked in the bill. He specifically mentions Haryana and Maharashtra in this context. 

PM says in the old act, 13 key sectors were excluded where land could have been taken without consent of the farmer. Modi says that thus lacunae has been erased in the new law so that farmers get full compensation.  

11:16 IST Sunday, 22 March 2015

PM Modi says he is touched by the awareness of farmers who have reached out in large number to vent their views. 

Modi says government will do its best to address the burning problems farmers face. He says that state and central government is acting on war footing to address the current problem of untimely rain. 

...............................

The Prime Minister has already interacted directly with the people in the earlier five editions of 'Mann Ki Baat'. He has dwelt upon several issues close to the hearts of the people such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, promotion of khadi, skill development, scholarship for disabled children, infrastructure for educational institutions, and menace of drugs.

In the last edition broadcast on February 22, he urged students to shed their examination stress and worry and develop a positive attitude. The Prime Minister also shared the 'Mann Ki Baat' forum with US President Barack Obama during his visit to India where the two leaders interacted with the people on a host of issues.

The programme has generated an encouraging response from citizens across the country. It is simultaneously broadcast live on All India Radio and Doordarshan channels. The address can also be heard on Vividh Bharti, FM Gold, and FM Rainbow radio. The programme would also be live-streamed on the Prime Minister's official website. 

With ANI inputs