With the government deciding to delay the tabling of the Land Bill in the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition has decided to step up protests against the amendments to the legislation and will be meeting President Pranab Mukherjee.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu, in a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha, had said the Centre needs time to “make up its mind” on the Bill.
Opposition members in the panel had argued that the Bill cannot be taken up next week as there are a number of other businesses to be completed before the House adjourns for recess on March 20. Their plan is to send the Bill to a select committee.
“We will meet President Pranab Mukherjee and convey our concerns before the government takes a decision on the Bill, which is passed by the Lok Sabha,” said a leader from the Opposition camp. The Opposition has sought time to meet the President on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to talk on the topic in the ‘Mann ki baat’ radio programme on Sunday, where he is tipped to speak on various farmers’ issues.
The Centre has been maintaining that the amendments to the Land Bill are meant to ensure higher compensation for farmers. Modi had told Parliament that the Opposition is indulging in “propaganda” against the changes in the Bill.
Joint fight The Opposition expects that it can put up a joint fight in the Rajya Sabha against the legislation. Informal discussions are taking place between opposition leaders to block the passage of the legislation in the Upper House when it meets after the recess in April. “There are two options before us. Either to send the Bill to a select committee and suggest changes to the Bill or to defeat it,” another leader said.
Most of the parties would rather send the Bill to a select committee so that the Rajya Sabha can nullify the amendments proposed by the NDA government.
“A decision will be taken soon,” the leader added.