A delegation of Gujarat Congress leaders, led by Ahmed Patel and Shankarsingh Vaghela, on Saturday called on President Pranab Mukherjee and urged him not to give assent to the two Bills relating to land ceiling and anti-terror activities passed by the “anti-farmer and anti-rights” BJP Government in the State.
The Opposition party termed the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime (GCTOC) Bill, 2015, “barbarian”. The GCTOC, earlier named as Gujarat Control of Organised Crime (GUJCOC), has so far been rejected by two Presidents — late AJP Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil. Both suggested some amendments in the provisions related to telephone interception and confession made before police officer being considered as evidence in court.
The Gujarat Congress leaders expressed concerns over ‘pro-industries’ Gujarat Agricultural land Ceiling (amendment) Bill, 2015 saying it will deprive the poor the land meant for them, if the legislation becomes an Act. The protest comes as the Centre recently sent the Bills to Rashtrapati Bhawan for the President’s assent.