Ram Vilas Paswan (File photo)
Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has said that his Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) had changed its mind and supported the land acquisition bill in the Lok Sabha, after it was convinced on the matter by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reply in the House.
A day after the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, Mr Paswan said he was satisfied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement in Parliament regarding the Bill and was clear now that it was in favour of farmers.
"There is no apprehension after the Prime Minister's statement on the Bill in Parliament. It is clear that the Bill is in favour of citizens and farmers. We need to pass it unanimously," Mr Paswan, the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister, told reporters.
"This law will lead to development in the states, establishment of infrastructure and new manufacturing facilities. Youth will get employment in villages. Farmers will not be affected. Rather, they will benefit in the long run," he said.
LJP, which has six members in Lok Sabha, had earlier expressed concern over the bill's provision which does away with the consent clause and said the government should clear its stand over it. BJP allies like Akali Dal and Shiv Sena have so far refrained from supporting the bill.