News / Reporter’s File

Controversial land ordinance in India

Friday, 24 July 2015 5:17 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 24 July 2015 5:17 PM ]

As India tries to boost its economy, the issue of land needed for development is turning into a burning issue. In December last year, the Indian government passed an emergency executive order which eases rules for acquiring land for developmental projects. The controversial bill, however, caused uproar in the country, land rights activists and opposition political parties say the bill would hurt the interests of farmers while the government maintains the move will kick-start stalled projects worth billions of dollars.

Due to the constant protests from the farmers, activists and the opposition parties, Indian cabinet cleared a fresh land ordinance with certain amendments, but activists called it an eye wash.

The conditions of Indian farmers have deteriorated over the last decade; small farmers usually take loans from private lenders to fulfill their medical, educational and marriage expenses. Reports suggest around 350,000 Indian farmers have committed suicide over the past 15 years and the figure is still climbing. Munawar Zaman has this report from New Delhi.

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