Top News
Dilution of land law for bullet train project: Congress leader
New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel has accused the Gujarat government of implementing a “diluted” version of the Land Acquisition Act for land acquisition for the bullet-train project and doing away with farmers’ consent and impact assessment.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, released to the media on Wednesday, Patel sought his intervention and called for the implementation of the 2013 Act in letter and spirit, saying that any deviation will “result in grave injustice to the farmers and farm labourers of Gujarat”.
“Our objective is not to obstruct the project. But in the process of building a bullet train, we can’t bulldoze the constitutional rights of farmers. I sincerely hope you will have the matter examined and the needful will be done at the earliest,” he added.
Noting that the central government was to implement the high-speed rail (bullet train) project between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, Patel said that the National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRC) along with district officials was acquiring agricultural land from farmers across various districts in southern Gujarat.
He said that farmers representatives had complained that the rules and procedures under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act of 2013 were not being adhered to.
Patel said that the public consultation process under the Act must be carried out through sufficient notice and adequate publicity.
“However, farmer groups have raised objections that such meetings are being conducted barely on a day’s notice without appropriate publicity. This defeats the very purpose of the consultation process,” the Congress leader said.
Patel, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, said it was “extremely unfortunate” that the Gujarat government was carrying out the entire exercise under a diluted version of the 2013 Act, which in effect runs contrary to the law passed by Parliament.
“Under the Gujarat government’s regulations, the need for mandatory consent of farmers and social impact assessment has been done away with,” he said.
The Congress leader said that the essence of the farmer’s right to his or her land under the 2013 Act rests on the pillars of consent and impact assessment report. “By doing away with these processes, I am afraid that the entire land acquisition process may descend to mere tokenism.”
Noting that the rights of farmers and farm labourers over agricultural land have for long been trampled upon by large and powerful interests, Patel said that Parliament had passed the 2013 Act to defend their rights.
“I request you to ensure that the 2013 Act is implemented in letter and spirit for the said acquisition,” he wrote in the letter to Modi.
–IANS
ps-sid/bg
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
