Govt won't renew ordinance on land acquisition: PM Modi on 'Mann ki Baat'

New Delhi: The government has decided to allow the land acquisition ordinance to lapse tomorrow and include 13 points in the rules to provide direct financial benefit to the farmers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. “We had brought in an ordinance (on land acquisition) which is lapsing on 31 August, and I have decided to let it lapse,” the Prime Minister said in his radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’. [caption id=“attachment_2408630” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PTI[/caption] Observing that a lot of misinformation has been spread on the ordinance which has created a sense of fear and confusion in the minds of the farmers, he said the lapse of the ordinance would mean that the situation prevailing before his government came to power, would now prevail. “However, there are some issues which have remained incomplete. This was that there were 13 points which needed to be completed in one year and were thus brought in the ordinance but got stuck in the controversy. “Even though the ordinance is lapsing, these 13 points, which were meant to provide direct financial benefit to the farmers, are being brought under the rules effective from today so that the farmers do not face financial losses,” Modi said. He said the suggestions to reform the land acquisition law had come from several quarters including the state governments. Referring to various social security schemes, the Prime Minister said over 17.74 crore new bank accounts have been opened under the Jan Dhan scheme, making it a big success. Under the scheme, the poor can open such a bank account with zero balance, but it is of significance that over Rs 22,000 crore have been deposited by the poor people through their hard-earned savings, he said. “Apprehensions were being expressed whether what could not be done in the last 60 years, could be done within one year. This has been made possible by the hard work of several departments, ministries and banks, he said. During his 25 minute radio address, the Prime Minister also touched upon several issues, including the importance of Sufism which, he said, could truly reflect the great teachings of Islam as its message was of love, liberalism and peace. Here are some of the highlights from the 11th ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address:

Jan Dhan Yojana has completed one year. We achieved so much in remarkable time. Congratulate all officials & teams working on it: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 30, 2015

The events of Gujarat have anguished the nation. People will feel shocked if this happens in land of Gandhi and Sardar Patel: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 30, 2015

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Every voice is important but the voice of the farmer is extremely significant: PM @narendramodi during #MannKiBaat

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Had the opportunity to meet scientists a few days ago. Our scientists are doing phenomenal work: PM @narendramodi #MannKiBaat

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This is a time of festivals. Lets link them with cleanliness and continue working towards a clean India: PM #MyCleanIndia #MannKiBaat

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Now the house where Dr. Ambedkar stayed in London has been taken by the Government. I congratulate Maha Govt: PM #MannKiBaat @Dev_Fadnavis

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 30, 2015

PTI