Centre returns Jharkhand's amendment on land acquisition: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha

RANCHI: The Central government has returned the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Jharkhand Amendment Bill), 2017 which was moved with some amendments from here.

Talking to reporters, Jharkhand Leader of Opposition in assembly and Working President of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Hemant Soren on Friday said here the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare had raised its objection over the amendments proposed by the state government in the Act.

"The Union Ministry has issued a letter stating that it would upscale the diversion of agricultural land for non agricultural purposes," Soren said.

He said that the ministry has also mentioned that the proposed amendment was against the National Policy for Farmers, 2007 and National Rehabilitation and Resettlement policy, 2007.

Soren said the JMM had called on President Ram Nath Kovind in November this year in this regard.

"We had already mentioned in our memorandum and handed over to the President that sections of Chapter 3 in which the state government wished to bring amendment would enhance acquisition of multi crop plants across the state.

"Interestingly, the agriculture ministry has also made similar comment. Now Chief Minister Raghubar Das should make it clear under what pressure, he was favouring this amendment," he said.

Demanding dismissal of the Chief Minister, Soren said Das was allegedly involved in land scam.

He said the scams would be unearthed if probed by an independent agency.