Sir — This refers to the editorial, “They protest too much” (February 28). The people had voted Mr Narendra Modi to power for inclusive development of the country. It is the responsibility of the elected Government to translate promises into reality. The land acquisition ordinance had been promulgated to achieve that instant objective. It is now essential for it to be replaced by legislation. The opposing parties headed by the Congress have fiercely opposed the Bill on the preposterous plea that it hampers the interest of the farmers of the country. This is despite the Government’s guarantee of adequate compensation to the farmers whose lands are to be acquired in the national interest or for projects for the poor.
During the 60 years of its rule, what progressive steps had the Congress taken to ameliorate the conditions of the farmers of the countryIJ It is morally responsible for the backwardness of the farmers. The agricultural income of the entire country adds only 15 per cent to the GDP, as reported in 2013. The youth of the country are migrating to urban localities or to cities, by abandoning farming.
The country’s farmers are deprived of even the basic infrastructure required for agriculture. It is in fact this failure which has forced many farmers to commit suicide. Had the Congress been seriously concerned about the plight of farmers, things would not have reached this sorry state.