File photo of Trinamool Congress' Derek O'Brien
The Trinamool Congress today said it will oppose with all its "might" the NDA government's land acquisition bill, which the party claimed was "draconian" and legitimised forcible acquisition of land.
Noting that the party decided to support the Mines and Minerals Bill in Parliament, but strongly opposed the land acquisition bill, party's chief national spokesperson Derek O'brien said his party will back a law if it is "progressive" and states-friendly irrespective of whether it is framed by the BJP or the Congress.
"The UPA law institutionalised rent-seeking in the form of giving a blanket mandate, for change of land-use to government authorities. This one completely chips away the farmer's ability to make an informed and voluntary choice... The NDA government's ordinance on the land acquisition law, now set to be re-issued after flagrantly ignoring the sentiments of Parliament and suddenly and unconscionably proroguing the Rajya Sabha, is draconian. It virtually legitimises forcible acquisition of land," Mr O'Brien wrote in his blog.
He said that in the case of the Mines and Minerals Bill, his party was satisfied that suggestions made by them in the select committee were incorporated in the final draft and there were several parameters Trinamool used to judge the Bill.
"The amendments to the Land Acquisition Act are another matter. They make a bad act worse. Trinamool had steadfastly opposed the UPA's land acquisition law. Now the NDA, by rushing through with an ordinance and refusing to let Parliament deliberate, debate and decide before such trigger-happy action, is making things much more difficult for farmers and actual users and owners of the land. Trinamool will oppose this with all its might," he said.