PM Modi slams Opposition for blocking passage of Land Bill in Rajya Sabha

Khandwa: Asserting that the land bill is not anti-farmer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday criticised the opposition for creating hurdles in the passage of the measure in Rajya Sabha, where the NDA government does not have a majority.

"The law that was passed by earlier government has no provision for allotment of land for schools, hospitals, houses, water and irrigation. I ask you whether you need all these facilities or not," he said here after dedicating to the nation two units of 600 MW each of Shri Singaji Thermal Power Plant.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of two units of 660 MW each under the project's second phase.

Modi said that he had asked the opposition to suggest ways to improve the land bill, but it did not respond.

"I am not anti-farmer. We will never oppose farmers. I asked other parties to tell me what to improve, but they don't say anything," he said.

He said that the poor people need hospitals, schools, roads, homes, water, power and irrigation facilities, but the earlier law had no provision for the same.

"...The previous government refused to give land for hospitals, roads, schools and homes also," he said. "The previous government enacted a law that would not enable farmers to get water and irrigation facilities," he maintained.

Hailing the Union Budget for 2015-16, the Prime Minister said it has provisions for the welfare of all sections of the society.

"We took several steps for the welfare of the poor, farmers, tribal communities, dalit sisters and brothers in the budget," he said.

Highlighting the importance of development, specially power supply, Modi said that it is absolutely necessary for the growth of the country.