Land Acquisition Bill – Page 2 – All India Trinamool Congress

The CM’s vision is clear – To make Kolkata the No. 1 city in civic amenities: Abhishek Banerjee

Posted on April 17, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

We have reproduced below an interview of Abhishek Banerjee with The Times of India as published on April 17, 2015:

Q: How would you rate the KMC board’s performance?

AB: It has been a great five years for KMC because there have been significant changes which Kolkatans can see and experience. To name a few -modernisation of the sewerage system, renovation of parks, riverfront beautification, healthcare initiatives, better roads, a modern garbage disposal system that rid the city of vats. The macro direction is being given by one per son -chief minister Mamata Banerjee. She understands the needs of people and insights turned into invaluable milestones for KMC

Q: If voted to power, what would you want KMC to focus on?

AB: The KMC, under the mayor’s stewardship and guidance of chief minister Mamata Banerjee, has laid a solid foundation. It is natural that we will build on this in the next five years. As in everything Mamata Banerjee does, specific timelines will be set. The performance of every ward will continue to be closely monitored. The CM’s vision is clear to make Kolkata the number one city in the country in terms of civic amenities. We are heading towards that goal.

Abhishek Banerjee campaigning for KMC elections

Q: You have been personally targeted by BJP on a range of issues, including your postgraduate qualification. Your reaction…

AB: I am just a foot soldier doing a job assigned by the party. I will not let such stray and wild accusations divert me from my goal. There is a lot of work to be done. After 34 years, Bengal is finally on the development track with new vigour. Nothing should distract us from that. We have gone to the people with a solid development agenda but the Opposition has only spread canards. We have full faith the people will give a befitting reply to all allegations.

Q: The ruling party is mostly blamed for the pre-poll violence. How would you react to that?

AB: When the writing is on the wall and you are fighting for the third or fourth place, you have to look for excuses. The administration has acted on complaints. Police don’t vote; neither do rowdies. Citizens do, and they will do it again, peacefully. Excuses are what losers look for.

On the campaign trail…

Q: Do you think the CBI notices on Trinamool and the Saradha scam will deflect public attention from core issues, like development?

AB: I have said this several times in my election rallies. CBI is the Controlled Branch of Investigation of BJP. Parties have used CBI as a political tool in the past; BJP is doing so now. But we will not cow down before CBI, or any other government agency. CBI will also not make Mamata Banerjee change track on the Land Bill.

Trinamool will continue to oppose the anti-poor and anti-farmer Bill. Land has always been part of Trinamool’s DNA. Our party chief had fasted 26 days for this cause. We are against forcible acquisition. However, we do believe that agriculture and industry can co-exist peacefully. Here, Bengal is leading by example.

While campaigning for municipal elections in Kolkata

Q: Trinamool is the only party to have announced its mayoral candidate. The party has been functioning like a well-drilled poll machine…

AB: (Smiles) Please do not refer to us as a poll machine. We are a people-centric party. We work for people though the year. We deliver on promises. People trust us. Yes, I think we ran an organized professional campaign. Don’t grudge us that. The final say is with the people and, of course, we are confident truth and development will prevail.

Q: You have always been a behind the-scenes strategist. Now, you are increasingly becoming the face of the party’s election campaign. How was the transition, personally?

AB: I still consider myself to be a student of politics. I am humbled that the party has given me responsibilities beyond that of an MP. I will continue to work hard and my single minded goal is to serve the people and fulfil their expectations.

Centre trying to gag voices of dissent, spreading communal tension: Mamata Banerjee

Posted on April 8, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Trinamool Congress today organised a massive protest rally against the NDA government’s proposed ordinance to bring in amendments to the Land Acquisition Act.

Chairperson Ms Mamata Banerjee led today’s rally against the ‘draconian ordinance’, as people from all segments of the society marched with her from from Moulali till Mayo Road near the Gandhi statue. The Chairperson launched an attack on the central government while addressing the gathering at Mayo Road.

Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who also spoke at the rally said, “The party has been consistent in its opposition to the forcible land acquisition policy. TMC was the only party to oppose UPA II’s land bill and call for division on the floor of Rajya Sabha in 2013.”

Highlights of the Chairperson’s speech:

My dear brothers and sisters. I thank you all for walking in today’s massive rally. This government has promulgated this ‘kala’ ordinance not once but twice.

Only TMC carried out people’s movement for farmers at a time when no one considered this issue. We carried out 26 day hunger strike for farmers of Singur. We fought for the people of Nandigram & Netai. We have always maintained transparency and consistency in our stand. We are against forcible land acquisition.

Trinamool Chairperson at today’s rally

The Central Govt has taken several anti-people measures. From railway to retail, they are bringing FDI. The Central Govt is promoting communal violence. They are practising politics of divide and rule. The work of a government is to provide good governance. This govt is instead promoting communal violence. This Central Govt is one of empty promises. They only talk of giving funds. They have reduced allocations for most schemes.

We don’t want your money. Just stop taking our taxes.

This Govt is misusing CBI, ED, IT Dept, NIA for political purposes. People who were happy when BJP came to power are now saying “yeh achha din nahi hai”. Doordarshan has become BJP-Darshan. In Delhi CPM and BJP pretend to fight. But in Bengal they are bhai-bhai. PIL has become Political Interest Litigation now.

The Opposition will lose in Municipal Polls just like they lost at Bongaon & Krishnaganj. We have not come to power overnight. We have a history of struggle.

Why are they asking for accounts of Trinamool? We are a poor party. What about parties who spent crores for LS polls? The system is to submit accounts and records to EC. Why should we submit them to someone else?

We fought against CPM for 34 years. Now they cannot win polls. So all they do is appear on TV studios. Has the CPM forgotten about 21 July? Have they forgotten about Coochbehar? Dhonekhali? What has the CPM not done? People have not forgotten about their reign of terror.

A party which cannot protect its party HQ from its own workers wants to come to power in Bengal.

Posters and banners at today’s rally

From land bill to any undemocratic, anti-people measures – we will protest against everything. Opposition trusts forces more than the people during elections, it seems.

Every time elections approach, Central agencies send notices to TMC. Let’s compete on the agenda of developmental work. I challenge the Opposition. The more they try to attack me, my resolve strengthens.

I have conducted 80 district tours. Secretariat goes to districts now, not the other way round. The slander campaign will be defeated. The smear propaganda will be silenced. People will win in a democracy. Despite all odds, Bengal is surging ahead on the path of development. Even if they take away our revenue, development will continue in Bengal.

Vote for Trinamool in the upcoming municipal polls. Shower us with your blessings. Our Mayor has done excellent work in last 5 years; he will do even better in future. Kolkata is cleaner and greener now. Vote for Trinamool. Vote for development.

Chairperson addressing the rally at Mayo Road

Trinamool to hit the streets against land ordinance on April 8

Posted on April 2, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Trinamool Congress under the leadership of Chairperson Mamata Banerjee will hit the streets on 8 April in Kolkata to protest against the draconian Land Bill.

The rally will start from Moulali at 4 PM and will march towards Gandhi statue on Mayo road. Similar rallies will be held at every district of West Bengal.

Partha Chatterjee, Secretary General of Trinamool Congress, said, “This is a black ordinance. We will wear black cloth and black badges to protest against this ordinance.”

Trinamool Congress has a long history of people’s movement for the right of farmers. The party has fought against forceful land acquisitions in Singur, Nandigram and other places of West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee went on a hunger strike for 26 days in 2006 for the farmers of Singur.

In 2013, when UPA II introduced the Land Acquisition Act, Trinamool was the only party that wanted a division and voted against the Bill in the floor of the Rajya Sabha.

Trinamool is committed in opposing the draconian Land Bill and will fight for the rights of the farmers.

Government must look at the interest of kisans and mazdoors: Trinamool in LS

Posted on March 19, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Sugata Bose, Arpita Ghosh, Pratima Mandal and Mamtaz Sanghamita spoke in the Lok Sabha on the agrarian situation in the country.

Sugata Bose raised the concern regarding the agricultural sector. The agricultural output has grown by only 1% in the last year. Agricultural sector constitutes about 55% of the employment in the nation, but contributed less than 15% of the GDP.

He urged the Government to immediately focus on irrigation so that it provides rural employment in the short run and increase productivity in the long run.

“The West Bengal Government’s ‘Jol Dharo Jol Bharo‘ programme has been more farsighted and successful. The Central Government’s ‘Krishi Sichai Yojana‘ should take lessons from West Bengal’s scheme”, he said.

He highlighted the importance of increase in the cold storage capacity and took the example of Bhangar, where with the support of West Bengal’s State Horticulture Department, a vegetable producer’s company has been established. As a result, per hectare output has increased dramatically from 7500 kg to 9500 kg and average peasant’s income has risen from Rs 22000 in 140 days to Rs 88000 in 120 days

Sugata Bose concluded by urging the House to rise to its full stature and make sure that the peasants, agricultural labourers and the range of service providers in rural areas be made partners and not victims in India’s development story.

Click here for the full speech of Sugata Bose.

Arpita Ghosh criticised the Government for focusing only on corporatisation, but not on the agricultural sector. She highlighted the West Bengal Government’s initiatives in the agricultural sector like setting up ‘Kisan Mandis’ in every block and ‘Jal Dharo Jal Bharo’ Scheme.

“According to many surveys, in the last 7-8 years, almost 3 Crore farmers have left farming, many are contemplating to leave farming and many have committed suicide,” said Arpita Ghosh.

She urged the Government to set up a dedicated research institute in arid areas of West Bengal like Purulia and Bankura and to focus on agro-based industries in the State.

Click here for the full speech of Arpita Ghosh.

Pratima Mandal asked the Government to have more policies to regulate the market to ensure that the farmers get the fair price for their productions.

She said, “Soil test is a major issue in this regard, so that the farmers can know which crop is suitable for which field. Digging of canals and installation of deep shallow are required to maintain the water flow to the field. I would request to the Minister to allot more fund in this respect.”

She urged the Government for upgradation of Kalyani Krishi Vidyalaya for more effective research in the interest of the farmers of West Bengal.

Click here for the full speech of Pratima Mandal.

Mamtaz Sanghamita pointed out that even though India is an agricultural country, with 70% of rural population of India are dependent on agriculture, yet policies formulated are not sufficient. Farmers are facing obstacles in cultivation system, natural calamities, no subsidy on fertilisers making them to lead them a borderline life.

She said, “Even when there is surplus yield of the agricultural product, there is no uniform system or rule of distribution or export to different states of India or abroad.”

Click here for the full speech of Mamtaz Sanghamita.

Sugata Bose speaks during discussion on the agrarian situation in the country | Transcript

Posted on March 19, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Full transcript:

Agriculture is close to my heart and ought to be the focus of informed debate in our country. Since my student days, I had been working on problems facing our agrarian economy in a larger global context.

The labours of peasant smallholders, sharecropper and agricultural labourers form the bedrock of our national economy. And their well being should exercise minds of the people’s representatives and policymakers.

The agrarian situation in India, Mr Deputy Speaker Sir, in one word, is grim. Boasting a rate of high GDP growth, the economic surge acknowledges that the agricultural output has grown at a rate of just 1% last year. The terms of trade against agriculture are clear since the year 2011.

The Finance Minister acknowledged in his Budget Speech that of the five major challenges facing India today, the first and foremost is the stress on agricultural incomes, yet his Government has shown no real commitment to address that challenge.

In replying to the debate of the Land Acquisition Bill, the Rural Development Minister said in a tone of complaint that the agricultural sector accounted for nearly 55% of employment in our country and contributed less than 15% of our GDP. While it is imperative to create non-farm employment, it was extraordinary to find a farmer’s son and grandson cast against persons of the majority of the working population in our land and wishing that peasants and agricultural labourers would not resist land grabbing by this Government’s corporate friends and allies.

We must not deny small farms. Very often, they are more efficient than large farms even though we need to address the problems of self exploitation of unpaid women’s and children’s labour on farms which are a cause for suicide by farmers.

My friend Sri Karunakarn has given some startling figures in the course of his speech. Cotton cultivators in Maharashtra or in Gujarat and sugar cultivators in Karnantaka seek subsistence via the market. They need favourable prices and credit for their cash crops in order to command access to food. Tens of millions of peasants in our country live on the borderline of life and death. They suffer from chronic malnutrition and hunger.

Now, there have been unseasonal rains that have affected crops in six northern states. But we must always remember that we are facing not a problem of nature but a problem of political economy. It is not just droughts or floods or monsoon failures that adversely affect the odds of life of our peasantry. Our British colonial masters lead by Lord Curzon used to try and pass of manmade catastrophes as acts of God but we know it in Bengal that the great famine of 1770 or 1943 were manmade famines. Great economist like Romesh Dutt always pointed out that the food supply in India as a whole has never failed but the people were so resourceless, so absolutely without any savings that if crops failed in one area they were unable to buy food from neighbouring provinces rich in harvest.

We must learn from our great economic thinkers and not from our colonial masters.

Our agricultural sector is beset with problems of reduced cultivated areas and low yields. Our primary producers are caught within the meshes of iniquitous and interlinked product and credit market. How can we turn things around?

Let me suggest some policy measures that must be taken to tackle the challenges of both agricultural production and distribution. Talk about the second green revolution in our country has been confined to the realm of rhetoric and has not been transformed into practical policy. We need more public investment in agricultural science and research as well as extension services to educate our farmers about best practices. At most about 40% of our cultivated area has no irrigation of any kind. Our focus should be on micro irrigation projects that will provide rural employment in the short run while increasing productivity in the longer term. We need environmentally sound watershed management.

In the 1980s in my own state of West Bengal the indiscriminate digging of tube wells compounded the problem of arsenic poisoning in ground water. The current Government’s Jol Dhoro Jol Bhoro programme has been more farsighted and successful. The Central Government’s Krishi Sichai Yojana should learn some lessons from Mamata Banerjee’s West Bengal.

The problem of peasant debt has two aspects. First, the peasantry needs to be freed from extortion at interest rates charged by mahajans and sahukars. Second, primary producers need access to adequate credit at right moments of the production cycle.

The Finance Minister has set an ambitious target of Rs 8.5 lakh Crore of farm credit during 2015-2016. Unfortunately, Mr Dy Speaker Sir, institutional credit from Banks hardly ever reaches small holding peasants and gets cornered by richer farmers and by agricultural corporations. Better targeting of agricultural credit is an urgent necessity.

The peasants never get a remunerative price for their produce as traders and middlemen in the agricultural market chain siphon off the profits. The solution being offered by this Government is the creation of a national agricultural market. My own considered view is that this problem should be addressed in the first instance at the local and regional levels.

Let me give the example of the rural areas of my own constituency Jadavpur to illustrate the needs and available best practices. Nearly 80% of the holdings in Baruipur, Sonarpur, Bhangar rural areas of my constituency are less than one hector in size, the cropping intensity 165%. In addition to rice approximately 20% of the cultivated area is devoted to the production of fruits and vegetable of very high quality. They are mostly sold in local markets. In Baruipur, there is only one cold storage facility with a capacity of 1200 MT, which is not sufficient to cater the needs of the peasants of the region. Moreover, even this facility is not equipped to store fresh vegetables and fruits. This one large facility needs to be upgraded with the help of central schemes to make it fit for storing fresh fruits and vegetables.

Mini cold storage units ranging from 5 MT – 30 MT needs to be set up all over the country for groups of small and marginal peasants. On a more optimistic note, let me mention one positive development in Bhangar, another rural area of my constituency. With the support of the West Bengal’s State Horticulture Department, a Bhangar Vegetable Producer’s Company Ltd has been established with a membership of 1750 marginal peasants, all owning less than one hectare of land each. This company has now a paid up capital of Rs 7.3 lakh. It is a federation of 100 small peasant interest groups. The company has improved access to inputs and finance and has enhanced productivity by promoting better agricultural practices. It has helped peasants undertake value added activities by grading, packaging at the village level and provided marketing support.

As a result, per hectare output has increased dramatically from 7500 kg to 9500 kg and average peasant’s income has risen from Rs 22000 in 140 days to Rs 88000 in 120 days. This local example of West Bengal has much wider relevance for small and marginal peasants, all over the country.

Deputy Speaker Sir, the Railways can play an important role in agricultural marketing and I hope that Agriculture Minister and Railway Minister will discuss this matter. I have seen how small peasants come to Baruipur and Sonarpur railway stations to sell their produce. Instead of complaining about squatters on railway land, the Railways can redesign the land owned by them, near stations of B and C level towns, to revolutionise the marketing of agricultural produce of small peasants.

The Railways can address problems of overcrowding, retail, inter modal transport needs, absence of public space through affordable intelligent design and by openness to market oriented small peasants, producers from the agrarian hinterland of these small towns.

In addition to creating cold storage facilities for agricultural produce, this Government should put something else into deep cold storage for all time to come in interests of India’s kisans and Khet mazdoors. This is the ill conceived Land Acquisition Bill that was railroaded through this Lok Sabha.

I am taking my stand on 1970 style populism that which Arun Jaitley referred to in his Budget debate. I am taking my stand on a need for a balanced and harmonious 21^st century economy that guarantees a fair deal to the underprivileged in our quest for rapid growth and development. Land acquisition from our farmers in our great Democracy must be based on consent and not on coercion, on compensation, not expropriation and it must be for public purpose and not private profit.

So it is incumbent on this Government, Deputy Speaker Sir, to provide equity in both sense of the term, equity, in the sense of fairness and justice and as well as equity in the form of ownership and the stake in the land, whenever the land is taken away from our peasants.

The Government by opening bank accounts and taking away Jan Dhan in the form of agricultural land and handing it to over to corporate houses on the false pretext of public purpose genuine fairness and transparency the two words that way in the title of the Bill that was passed in this House demands nothing else.

Mr Deputy Speaker Sir, on behalf of my party let me urge this House, to rise to its full stature and make sure that the peasant and agricultural laborers and the range of service providers in rural areas be made partners and not victims in India’s development story.

Thank you very much.

Dinesh Trivedi speaks on Land Acquisition Ordinance, 2014 | Transcript

Posted on March 10, 2015 | by admin2

Full transcript:

Deputy Speaker Sir,

I hope you will be as patient with me, as you have been with our Hon’ble ex Prime Minister. Sir, after Hon’ble ex Prime Minister of India, whatever he had to say, he has said it very elaborately. In fact, my esteemed colleague, Sri Kalyan Banerjee spoke yesterday, not only on the legal points but also on the substantial points of this Bill.

At the outset, let me tell you, hum is Bill ka humara party ke taraf se zor shor se virodh kar rahe hai. Aur virodh karne ke sath sath yeh pata nahi chal raha hai ki hum inke shukriya aada kare, inka abhari hoye, ki inko bahut bahut dhanyavad de ki yeh Bill laye. Ab yeh baat hum kyun kahe rahe hai? Is Bill se aap ne kaya kiya hai hum bataye, aap pure Opposition ko ek sath unite kar diya hai. Aur is Bill ke madhyam se, aap dil pe haat rakkhe kahiye, aap ka andar main bhi ek disunity a gayi hai. Kyunki zyada tar ke lok iske virodh main hai.

Sir, it is a very simple question. Aap ke niyat me humein koi shaak aur shanka nehi hai. Aap jo kar rahe hai, aap ki samajh bhi wohi hai ki is se shayad desh ka bhala ho. Aap ke niyat me hume shaak nehi hai ki aap kisi ek punjipati ko zyada paisa dilana chahte hai, yeh humara dil me koi shanka nehi hai.

Sir, it is a very basic question. Clause by clause everybody has talked about and they have demolished this. I am not going to go on that, I am going to talk about substantial process of democracy. I am going to tell you in a very patient manner and will not get agitated about it but the fact is this is for all of us. For this country and the future generation which is going to come.

Sir, ismein baat bahut simple hai. It is the right of an individual against the might of the State. Sir, aaj bhi Narita Airport me ek kisan baitha hua hai. Sir, iske mudde bahut bahut simple hai ki aap kis prakar se kanun banana chahate hai uski prakriya keya hai. What is the process of law making?

I am hitting at the basic process of law making. Even the Hon’ble President of India made an observation this is not the way that you come up with ordinance after ordinance.

Sir, does the stakeholder have the right to understand what is happening or we just want to bulldoze a bill? For What? Why? What is the big hurry, like everybody has said?

Sir, have you circulated this draft to the stakeholders? Have you consulted the people who are going to get affected? Have you consulted the political parties? India means 1.2 Billion people we have always been talking about. The poor kisaan, the Bill is so complicated he will take some time to understand the Bill.

Sir, where is the draft circulated? Even before circulating the draft you have brought the Ordinance. Sir, I want to take it to a Committee of Secretaries in January 2014. The Committee of Secretaries had pronounced with due diligence and permission of the Government that, henceforth whatever laws comes into being, has be circulated in a draft form, there has to be a wider discussion and after that only the Bill will be presented and will be debated on.

Sir, I just want to take you through the border points. We all are in Parliament. I started my career in public life with consumer protection. In consumer protection Sir, what happens, some factual stuff – ki ek cheej ka ishtahar hum karte hai, we advertise for one thing and we give a product which is just the opposite. Toh kya hota hai? Toh hum bolte hai ki yeh dhokadhari hai ki apne ishtihar toh is cheej ka diya tha?

I am not going to shout at all. They must have patience. This is democracy, you can’t shoot me down. Please understand, yaha na Ravan ki chali hain, na toh Duryodhan ki chali hain, na toh Kansa ki chali hain. Yaha kissi ka nahi chalta hai, yeh sun ke rakhiye aap.

Sir, humne ishtehaar ki baat ki.

I am coming on a basic document Sir, and what is the basic document? Please I would urge the members to listen very carefully. This basic document is a Manifesto which is our ishtehaar, we go to the voters with the basic document called the Manifesto. And with your permission I will take two minutes to read the Manifesto.

It says, ‘In encouraging the production of cereals and discouraging the conversion of fertile farm lands for dubious industrial projects.’ It says, ‘land acquisition for infrastructures in farmer’s interest will be protected. The Centre and the State Governments for long have acquired land through an opaque process, to hand it over to the private parties under the umbrella of public purpose. The UPA Government has approved 572 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that cover 50,000 acres (three times the size of Singapore). This is clearly absurd and spells disaster for the farming sector.’

‘The BJP will adopt a National Land Use Policy which will protest the interest of the farmers, the implementation will be monitored by the National Land Use Authority which will work with the State Land Use Authorities to regulate and facilitate land management. The powers and functions of the National Land Use Authority will be similar to that of other regulatory authorities. The BJP will bring about amendments for an existing law. The BJP will not allow the conversion of fertile farmland for industrial, commercial projects or for Special Economic Zone. Acquisition of land for industrial use will be addressed after careful scrutiny of Parliament and Standing Committee of the Parliament.’ Sir, it says, ’It will be addressed by careful scrutiny of Parliamentary Standing Committee Report and forcing the need to protect the farm sector after duly discussing with the stakeholders.’ This is your Manifesto and I am afraid that you are going totally against your Manifesto.

Sir, I remember if there has been a private company and said, that ‘I am going to sell you this’ and he sells something absolutely opposite of that, then we know what would have happened. I am not going to use any harsh words. I am totally as you are, interested in the farmland.

Sir, I will take some more time because this country is of Mahabharata, this country is of Ramayana, and this country is of Guru Granth Sahib and Quran Sharif.

I would just take you to the days of Mahabharata Sir. When Pandavas asked to Kauravas, ‘give us little land, we do not want anything, this our land too.’ Kaurava said, ‘Sui ki nokh tak ki zameen nahi denge. Aap ko ladai karni hain toh kar lijiye .’

Toh ladai toh farmers karenge. Woh tayari aap ki honi chahiye.

Now sir, let me conclude.

Sir, take the case of corporate sector. I have nothing against them. Take the case of a very beautiful club in the heart of Delhi, called Delhi Golf Club. I also go there to play golf. Now, that zamin belongs to the Government. Yeh Sarkari zamin hai. Toh humara ek dost keh rahe the, ki aap virodh kyun kar rahe hai is Bill ka? Toh humne dost ko kaha, yeh to sarkari zamin hai, toh kal uth kar agar sarkar kehti hai, ki is Delhi Golf Club main hum ek AIIMS ka building banana chahte hai, aur golf ko bandh karna chahte hai, tab dekhiye maza kya hota hai. Just as a test case, aap le lijiye, ki aap yeh kar sakegi ki nehi? Yadi aap woh kar sakte hai, toh hum bhi kahenge ki humari bhi manzuri hai.

Aakher mein hum yeh kehte hai ki, aap zara meherbani karke ek sher suniye. Sir, yeh kaya hota hai na, hum jab idhar a jata hai, toh hum khud ko bhagavan samaj lete hai, khuda samajhte hai,ishwar samaj lete hai. Hum khuda hai, hum sab ka kitab likhte hai (hum law banate hai), tum kaun ho (Opposition ko aap kahenge) ki humse pucho ki hum aapna hisab kaise likhte hai?
Bahut bahut shukriya, Sir. Aur aap ko hum yeh kahenga, maherbani kar ke, please send this Bill to the Standing Committee. This is in the interest of the farmers and this is in the interest of the country. And I will not be wrong, if I say that is in your own interest.

Please send this Bill to the Standing Committee.

Kalyan Banerjee speaks on Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, 2015 | Transcript

Posted on March 9, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Full transcript:

Sir, today we are debating the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill 2015.

Sir, at the outset, I on behalf of my party, through you we would like to inform that we are opposing the Bill completely. We opposed it on a point when in 2013 the Bill came that for the private enterprises, private industrialists 80% consent for purchase and 20% acquisition. That time also we opposed it, today also we are 100% opposing.

Sir, I am making it very clear to all of my friends here, please all of you from the core of your heart oppose the Bill for safeguarding the interest of the farmers of the country.

Sir, I will quote Rabindranath Tagore, “Jodi tor dak shune keu na ashe, ekla cholo re.” In case, I do not get anyone with me, I will walk alone to oppose this Bill.

Sir, we have background of this. In 2007 when nobody raised voice, on behalf of the farmers when land was acquired at Singur for the Tata Project. Mamata Banerjee went into a fast for 26 days at Dharmatala, Kolkata, for protecting the interest of the farmers. We have history of long struggle towards the interest of protecting farmers’ rights.

One of my brothers Suvendu Adhikari is also here witness to how Mamatadi fought for Nandigram. Suvendu Adhikari, who belongs to that place also fought for it. We have politically fought for taking away the land of Nandigram with the then the Government firing and later it became a case for investigation too. Sir, at various places we are struggling for farmers’ rights from 2007 and today we are also protesting against this Bill.

Our friends just quoted Gandhi Ji. Sir, I would just like to quote, from a letter written by Mahatma Gandhi to Madanlal Gandhi on August 21, 1910, “I, for one, am a farmer and I wish you all to become farmers or to continue as such, if you have already become farmers. My way of life has completely changed here. The whole day is spent here in digging the land and other manual works instead of writing and explaining things to people. I prefer this work and consider this alone to be my duty.”

Sir, in ‘Indian Opinion’ on December 3, 1990. Gandhi Ji wrote about the farmers. I would like to quote it Sir, “Of course the farmer is the father of the world, but it is his greatness that he is not aware of the fact. Those who devote themselves to good works of any worth are not aware of about their goodness. Just as we breathe every moment, but are not aware about the fact. The good people by their very nature are impelled to give expression to their goodness. They are not conscious that they deserve any credit. They do not care to be honoured.”

Sir, today by this Amendment, this honour of the farmers, the credit of the farmers of this country are being taken away. The right which has been recognised by the parent Act concerned in 2013 has been taken away. Even though we objected for 80% purchase and 20% acquisition, but Chapter Two and Chapter Three, which came due to a number of discussions in the House, between the then Minister and other political parties, today that right has been taken away.

Sir, what is chapter Two and Chapter Three? I will come to the details of chapter Three later on. In one sentence, Chapter Two speaks about the determination of social impact and the utility of the public purposes, which recognises the right of the farmers. Sir, the right is being taken away by this Bill.

Chapter Three is provision to safety and food security. This Chapter 3A is being taken away. So far this food security is concerned; we are opposed to any compromises. We are opposing to this by tooth and nail.

Sir, this Bill is in respect of provisions of Chapter Two and Chapter Three not applicable to certain projects. Sir, why should they not be applicable? Sir, it has been given that in case of defence infrastructure, affordable housing, industrial corridor and social infrastructure project including the projects under public-private partnership, where the ownership of the land will continue to vest with the Government.

By this process, the right of hearing of the farmer is being taken away. Earlier it was Article 13 (1A) of the Constitution. It has been deleted. Now Article 300A of the Constitution has come. This is a right of a property. Land is also a right of a property of a person. That right of property of a person is being taken away, without any hearing, without anything. How can I think about this? How can I reconcile the right of a farmer, a right of a land, a right of a property is being taken away totally without offering any opportunity of hearing. Unfortunate!

Sir, were these projects not there before? Sir, if you speak about the urgency, Section 9 of the parent Act speaks where land is proposed to be acquired invoking the urgency provisions under Section 40, the appropriate Government may examine, undertaking the social assessment impact study. Therefore, there was a provision. If urgency is there and if you feel that it is urgent, the parent Act has given power under Section 9. Why in general are you taking away the right of a farmer, the right of a hearing, the social impact assessment? Hearing should happen in public, municipality, gram panchayat and everybody should be participating.

What is the second impact? If the view has come, it is to be seen if it has a utility for the public purpose or not. That is being taken away.

Thirdly, valuable right of the farmers is being taken away, Sir.

Sir, if you read the first Section Three of the provisions is being included which is, “provided also that the acquisition for the projects listed in Section 10 (A) purposes speciﬁed therein, shall be exempted from the provisions”. What are you taking away? You are taking away special provisions to the Scheduled Casts and Scheduled Tribes. In the Scheduled Cast rank and Scheduled Tribe rank, in the parent Act, it has been given that acquisition should not be done in a routine manner. Unless, it is a rarest of rare exceptional case, you should not touch lands of Scheduled Casts or Scheduled Tribes.

By this Bill, itself; the Government is taking away the rights of the Scheduled Casts or Scheduled Tribes in case of their concerned land. It is not the case of the rarest of rare, it is the case of a general nature in character.

What was the object, Sir? Kindly see Section IV. It said, carry out a social assessment study in consultation with them. I referred the names already. In consultation with the names, it has to be given. Total social impact assessment, public hearing for social impact assessment, publication of social impact assessment, everything has been taken away. There was an important provision in the Statute which is being tried to be diluted with this concerned Bill. That the expert group constituted on the sub-section I, is of the opinion that the project does not serve any public purpose, the social cost or adverse social impact of the project outway the potential benefits, this provision is being taken away. Ultimately, we have seen a number of cases where the acquisition has been undertaken but ultimately, acquisition has not been finalised. Farmers have not got back the land concerned. Once the acquisition has started, compensation has been paid; farmers are not getting back lands even if projects are being failed. Therefore, if this social impact study is not done, can you determine whether it is for public purpose or not?

With great respect to any Ministers, administrative officers sitting in the air-conditioned chambers, no one can understand what the public purpose is there. Public purpose has to be understood going into the field itself, whether the land really serves any public purpose at all or not.

Very importantly for which we have been fighting for long, regarding the food security, our leader repeatedly said, wherever multi-crop land is there, it cannot be taken. We faced this situation at Singur. Singur was a multi-crop land, Nandigram was a multi-crop land. One fine morning, one industrialist comes to Kolkata, wants to stay near Kolkata, he chooses a piece of multi-crop land and that multi-crop land is given to him for the purpose of industry. Why should he get a multi-crop land? Why should he get it? The Section 10 has been diluted in this concerned Bill. Therefore Sir, this is totally nullifying.

Sir, Section X, sub-Section III, a very important right has been given to the farmers – wherever multi-crop land is acquired under sub-Section II, an equivalent area of cultivable wasteland shall be developed for agriculture purpose and amount equivalent to the land acquired shall be deposited. Under the scheme of the parent Act concerned, wherever the land of multi-crop is there, if you take away you have to make an alternative land for the purpose of the farmers along with the all compensation. If this provision is also being taken away, then you have to lose everything. In this process, every right under Chapter Two and 3A, every right of the farmer is being taken away by this Bill. We are opposing this Bill.

Sir, through you I want to say that our Leader right from 2009, repeated tried and written note was given to the Government how a social system has to be introduced. How the rights of the farmers, even in a case of compulsory acquisition, under sovereign function, how the government should do it. That time the Government sat with our Chief Minister and had discussed the matter at length. Almost all the suggestion of Chapter Two and Chapter Three is concerned, the then Minister accepted it. Here it was discussed and Bhartiya Janta Party then had supported the same.

To the Nation, I want to communicate through you Sir, Mamata Banerjee went on fast for 26 days, that time today’s Minister Rajnath Singh Ji for whom we are having great respect, he went and met her. He was with Didi that time spending nearly three to four hours. On that day, he spoke about the right of the farmers, so I do not understand today why Rajnath Ji is supporting this Bill. What he spoke in 2007 at Kolkata that was a reflection in 2013 Bill. Why the right is being taken away. What is the spirit?

I have great respect for Rajnath Ji. By the process, I want to make a humble submission to Rajnath Ji that you stood with us in 2007 for upholding the rights of the farmers. Today, the time has come for you to stand for the right of the farmers and give the right of natural justice, nothing more. The social impact system has two purposes, one, if it is very relevant for the public purpose then the fair compensation can be determined. For the purpose of determination of the fair compensation, Chapter II and Chapter III are needed. You are taking the right of fair compensation; you will give whatever the market value is given, by Chapter II and Chapter III. The basic formula of determination of compensation that is being fixed is being taken away. I am opposing this Bill. Sir, it is really important that by this Bill itself, the basic structure of Chapter II and Chapter III is being changed. This Amendment is nothing; they are just nullifying the object, the reasons and the basic structure of Chapter II and Chapter III of the current Act. I understand that you have love for the corporate; I understand that you have to do only for the corporate. You are a Government for the corporate; by the corporate; of the purposes of the corporate. We can understand that part. But don’t do this.

I am a small man, you are such a tall man, you are a stalwart, I can appeal to you, Sir. If I am right you will support the Bill. You also said that this Bill should be there. Why are you diluting it, Sir? Since you have raised this issue Sir, I have an appeal to you on that day the stand you had taken, take the same stand today also. That is my appeal to you Sir, nothing more than that.

Right of farmers cannot be nullified at all. Sir, I will finish with just one observation – an opinion of Gandhiji that was published in Hindustan Standard, on 6 December 1944, I quote, ‘”After all, this industrialisation of large scale production are only of comparatively recent growth. We do not know how far it has contributed to the development of our happiness but we know this much that it has brought in his wake the recent world laws. The second world war is still not over and even if it comes to an end we are hearing of a third world war. Our country was never so unhappy and miserable as it is at present. City people may be getting big profits and good wages, but all that has been possible by sucking the blood of villagers. We do not want to collect Lakhs and Crores, we do not want to always depend on money for our work. If we are prepared to sacrifice our lives for the cause, money is nothing. We must have faith and we must be true to ourselves.

Sir, this Bill is an attempt to suck blood out of the farmers of our country. Sir, the Government is having a social responsibility towards the country. The Government is not for purpose of making profit only. The Government has to think for the people at large. The Government has to think for the poor people first. The Government has to give the priority to the farmers first, who are the backbone of our country.

With this Sir, I oppose this Bill 100%. All my friends and members who are present here, from your core of heart kindly oppose the Bill. I conclude in line with Mr Scindia, when tomorrow this Bill will come for voting, everyone please oppose this Bill. Tell the Nation this Government is Government for the corporate. This Government is anti poor government. This Government is anti farmer government. This Government will sell the country to the industrialists, let us oppose this Bill.

WB CM demands immediate withdrawal of the Land Acquisition Ordinance

Posted on February 25, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee demanded immediate withdrawal of the Land Acquisition Ordinance, terming it as ‘draconian’.

“Immediately withdraw land ordinance. It is draconian. It will affect the farmers. We have always opposed this,” the Trinamool Congress Chairperson said in a Twitter post.

“We do not support forceful land acquisition. I have gone on 26-days hunger strike in the past for this cause,” she said.

The Land Acquisition Bill was introduced by the Central Government in Lok Sabha today, amid united protests by the entire Opposition.

Trinamool Congress, which had rode to power in the 2011 West Bengal Assembly polls with the anti-land acquisition stand as one of its main planks, opposed the Ordinance in both Houses of Parliament during the day.

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill 2015 was first introduced in the Lok Sabha amid an uproar by the opposition.