New Delhi: Dismissing charges of new Land Bill of the BJP-led NDA government being "anti-farmer", Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday alleged those who are opposing it are against rural infrastructure creation.
He said in fact it was the 2013 Land Bill that was "anti-farmer".
"According to me, if there is anything which is anti- farmer, it is the 2013 Land Bill. This (2013) Land Bill prevents creation of any form of rural infrastructure...And those who are opposing it want to oppose the creation of rural infrastructure," Jaitley said in his post-budget Talkathon telecast on YouTube.
He said the 2013 Land Bill prevents creation of rural road, rural electrification, irrigation facilities as well as rural housing.
"Now for all the activities in the rural areas, you need land. None of these is for exempted purpose... Now the Ordinance which we have, says you can buy by paying four times of the value of the land for this rural infrastructure," he said.
Opposition parties have levelled charges that the new Land Bill is anti-farmer.
The BJP-led NDA government made has it clear that there was no going back on any of the Ordinances, including the one on land acquisition, but it will be open to suggestions when Bills are taken up after the Budget.
It also accused the Congress of adopting "double standards" on the issue.
