BHUBANESWAR: Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Tuesday strongly backed the controversial Land Acquisition Bill claiming that it will benefit tribals considerably with provisions of safeguarding their interests.
The Land Acquisition Bill, which has been referred to the joint Parliamentary Committee, has adequate provisions to protect the interest of tribals, Oram told reporters here.
“The opposition political parties are trying to mislead people about the Bill. It will not harm the tribals at all,” Oram said after inauguration of the two-day national executive meeting of BJP Scheduled Tribes Morcha.
As per the revised provisions of the new Bill, tribal people would get four times the compensation when they give away their land for infrastructure works like roads and irrigation projects, the Union Minister said.
There were also provisions of providing jobs to one family member of the farmer along with their proper rehabilitation, he said, adding, the new Bill would have provisions for land buyers who would be required to implement tribal-friendly clauses.
The tribals are not against industrial development and the new land Bill will play a significant role in balancing the interests of both tribals and industry, the Union Minister added.
