CHENNAI: Political leaders from Vaiko to Ramadoss to EVKS Elangovan came down heavily on the Centre for having cleared an ordinance to amend the Land Acquisition Act stating that the move was against the interests of peasants and land owners.
Estranged BJP ally and PMK founder S Ramadoss said the amendment, which would affect the livelihood of crores of farmers had been brought in through the backdoor. As cultivable lands had not been exempted, it was an attempt to destroy agriculture in the garb of promoting industrial growth, Ramadoss charged.
MDMK leader Vaiko said that ‘The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act’ was brought by the UPA to protect rights of farmers but the saffron party had opposed it then. As the amendments had declared that setting up of industries would come under ‘public welfare’, it would deprive farmers the right to deny land to corporates.
TNCC leader EVKS Elangovan said, by removing the clause that mandated the consent of 70 pc of owners to acquire land for joint projects comprising the government and the private parties, the rights of the owners stand compromised.
VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said it would help corporates acquire land easily and push the farmers into a crisis. The CPM party release said the act would only favour corporates and real estate barons.