Sir — This refers to the report, “Gadkari dares Sonia to debate on land Bill” (March 20). After having been cornered by the Opposition, the NDA Government has taken an earnest decision to have an open dialogue over the issue. Both the Congress and activist Anna Hazare have taken the imperious decision to not let the Bill be passed in the Upper House at any cost. They have been spreading canards over the so-called adverse impact the Bill will have over the affected farmers.
It has become a rule for the Congress to oppose any proposal of the NDA regime without going through its merits, ever since the party was reduced to a mere 44 seats. let us, for a minute, ponder over the impact on the peasants whose land will be acquired by the Government. On the one hand, we want to compete with China, the US and other Western countries in matters of infrastructure, highways and expressways. On the other, we want to have all this development without having to part with land.
Without getting the land acquired, how will all development be achievedIJ Now that the NDA Government has openly challenged the Congress and Anna to a debate on the Bill, let them pick the gauntlet and respond. The Opposition cannot continue to be obstructionist.