The Hindu : National : Nandigram issue rocks Lok Sabha

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Wednesday, May 16, 2007
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National

Nandigram issue rocks Lok Sabha

Special Correspondent

Mamata plea to amend Land Acquisition Act

The "draconian" act favoured private sector "Time for Centre to break silence"

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha was briefly adjourned on Tuesday after an emotional Mamata Bannerjee (Trinamool Congress) sought scrapping of the existing Land Acquisition Act and framing of a new legislation to protect the interest of the farmers.

Ms. Bannerjee also asked the Centre to intervene and provide relief and medical aid to the victims of police firing at Nandigram who, she said, were mostly women, children, minorities and the Scheduled Castes.

Making a fervent appeal to the Prime Minister and the United Progressive Alliance chairperson to visit Nandigram, she said it was time the Centre broke its silence over the issue.

Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Ms. Bannerjee said the existing Land Acquisition Act was "draconian" and used only for personal purposes. She said there was an urgent need to enact a new law. Displaying copies of affidavits filed in the court by the farmers of Singur in West Bengal, she said it was clearly mentioned that they (farmers) had not sold the land and the Government had forcefully taken it away. Reacting sharply to the issue, the Left parties members were on their toes to protest against the statement made by Ms. Bannerjee, even as the Speaker Somnath Chatterjee asked her to submit the copies of affidavits to him.

There were verbal duels over the issue following which the Speaker adjourned the House.

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