Shrugging away the Opposition’s charge for being “anti-farmer,” the Centre has justified bringing in an ordinance to amend the Land Acquisition Act.

Rural Development Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh told reporters here on Friday that the decision was taken keeping the interests of farmers in mind. Dismissing allegations that the Centre was under pressure from corporate houses, Singh said he is not a ‘favourite minister’ of the businessmen.

Admitting that President Pranab Mukherjee had consulted some Ministers before signing the ordinance, Singh said he, too, was approached but could not be contacted. “Efforts were made to trace me, but I could not be contacted. If the President has consulted one or two Ministers, naturally they will be there,” Singh said, adding that he believes that all decisions of the government are collective.

The Minister said the ordinance will primarily ensure adequate rehabilitation measures for land acquisition under 13 Acts of Parliament. He said none of the clauses relating to compensation, relief and rehabilitation have been removed from the Act, adding that the 2013 Act had more than 60 errors in it.

“Such mistakes had to be rectified,” he said, adding that States will have the power to decide the compensation and rehabilitation measures. Singh, a long-time Congressman who quit the party prior to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, took on the previous UPA government, saying it committed many mistakes to please Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi.

When reminded of his earlier statements against changes in the Act, Singh said he was never angry with the move to amend the Act. “If I am angry, then I do not have to be in the Cabinet. Whatever I have done, I have ensured that farmers’ interests are protected. None of the clauses relating to compensation, relief and rehabilitation have been removed,” he added.

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