File picture of Parliament House. (Reuters)
The government today decided to take up the key land acquisition bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday and Tuesday, fearing it could get stalled in Rajya Sabha.
The government has decided to bring some amendments in the bill that will dilute the pro-corporate elements which raised the hackles of farmers and activists, sources told NDTV.
The amendments are also aimed at calming the tirade of the opposition, which has branded the government anti-farmer and pro-corporate.
Currently, an eight-member BJP committee is studying the bill, meeting the representatives of 250 organisations and activists who are protesting against it. The committee members met Amit Shah today and briefed him on the changes the stakeholders have suggested.
The committee is expected to soon submit its report to BJP chief. The govt has to decide its final strategy within the four day weekend starting tomorrow.
Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi was understood to have been against changing the basic structure of the bill, the BJP apparently modified its approach after allies Akali Dal and Shiv Sena and the RSS affiliates contended that the bill was perceived to be anti-farmer.
On Wednesday, Akali Dal submitted a resolution to PM Modi, saying it was worried about the political fallout. Although the bill, in its current form, was pro-growth, a course correction was needed to change perception about it, the party said.
The Akali Dal suggested a few modifications, including the key issue of consent - saying that provisions be made in the bill to avail the consent of 70% farmers before land is acquired.
There should also be fair representation of land owners and the gram panchayat when it comes to determining price of land. A social impact assessment also should be made in case of acquisition of huge chunks of land, the Akali Dal said.