MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was surprised by rumors against the land acquisition bill and defended the legislation, saying it was aimed at farmers' welfare, the Times of India reported Sunday.
The bill, which would enable authorities to acquire land for certain projects without the consent of landowners, has been largely criticized by the Indian opposition.
“Our commitment is to ensure benefits to farmers… So many lies are being spread… It is my fervent appeal to farmers not to make decisions on the basis of these lies. Don’t be misled,” Modi said, as cited by the Indian Express. The Prime Minister also added that the misinformation is being spread for "political reasons."
The prime minister also stressed that the new bill has the same compensation provisions as in the 2013 Act rejecting that the new measure was only aimed at benefiting the corporations.
The government is ready to debate the bill with other political forces in the country and consider any changes that would be beneficial for the farmers, Modi added.
The bill, removing the consent clause for projects in defense, public-private partnership, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and industrial corridors areas, was introduced in February.
