Land, other key Bills to come up in Parliament session: Venkaiah

"The Land Bill is the need of the hour. We are running against time to catch up with lost opportunities. The world is moving faster. India cannot lag behind. Parliament should prove to be an enabler rather than a playing ground for political and obstructionist battles," he told reporters here.

Stressing that the Land Bill has been brought after extensive consultations involving states, including those ruled by Congress, and other stakeholders, Naidu said Congress is opposing the Bill for the sake of opposition.

The NDA government has made amendments to the Land Bill in the wake of suggestions made by many, including Congress leaders like former Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and ex-Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, he said.

"But unfortunately, Congress party, for political reasons, is trying to oppose this for the sake of opposition. Please do not oppose for the sake of opposition. Be constructive," the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister said.

Referring to some news reports, he alleged that Congress leader Jairam Ramesh spread misinformation on the Land Bill.
    

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Government not averse to more amendments to Land Bill: Nitin Gadkari

"We are not averse to more amendments to the Land Bill provided they are good and substantial in nature. There is no restriction on fresh changes," Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari said.

But at the same time, he cautioned that amendments aimed at delaying the measure and scoring political points against the government would certainly not be considered.
  
"We accepted nine amendments to the bill after discussion in the Lok Sabha. We are obviously open to new changes," he said.

Asked about NDA government's lack of numbers in the Rajya Sabha, Gadkari said that he is hopeful of getting support from the Upper House.
  
"I believe members will support the Bill in Rajya Sabha. Let us hope positively. We are confident," he said. Amendments to the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2014 have been approved by the Lok Sabha but could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha as the ruling NDA government is short of numbers in the Upper House.
  
However, pending the passage of the amendment bill by Parliament, the Ordinance was re-promulgated to ensure continuity in legislation.
    

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Land Bill in focus on second day of BJP national executive meet

The party, in its strategy meet on Saturday, will adopt a political resolution that is likely to mention the Land Bill.

A power point presentation on the bill is also scheduled for the day, sources said.

The resolution will also make a comment on the 10 months of the working of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

Also on Friday, BJP had said it will launch a mass contact programme to dispel "myths and propaganda" spread by the Opposition and engage farmers in dialogue even as it insisted that it remains open to changes suggested by rival parties and farmers.

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