The current issue in Uttar Pradesh politics is Land acquisition and farmer suicides.The construction of the 165.4 km long Yamuna Expressway through UP has forced the government to relocate farmers and acquire land under the Land Acquisition Act, 1984. The expressway seeks to link Greater Noida and Agra. However, thousands of farmers have protested against these unethical and “forcible” land accusations. The protests have developed on the backdrop of farmers resorting to suicide and some getting killed by police firing. BSP led by Ms. Mayawati is clear on its stand that it supports timely and just amendments to the land acquisition bills, and has extended support to the protest rallies. Several farmers from neighbouring areas led by RLD (Rastra Lok Dal) have sought to hartals in front of the parliament and have marched till Delhi. Ajit Singh, president of RLD has said that that have proposed a new bill in the parliament that seeks to demarcate the role played by the government in specific purposes. He says that if a land is acquired for some purpose and it is not fulfilled within five years the government is liable to return the land to the farmer. Almost every party present in the state of Uttar Pradesh have similar sentiments and have supported the protests. Protest marches and meetings have been called by BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), CPI(M) (Communist party of India, Marxist), JD(U) (Janata Dal, United), LJP (Lok Janshakti Party), CPI (Communist Party of India), AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munetra Kajhagam) and TDP (Telegu Desham Party). However the central government is stern on its stand with Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari declaring that land acquisition problems is not being faced in UP alone and its essence is to serve developmental needs. The government does sympathize with the farmers and amendments are being reviewed to give proper reimbursements and concessions.
This is very strange that the government does not try to concentrate on the pros and corns of the action that they take. Analysis over the situation is done, when the situation goes out of hand. After seeing the farmer’s condition, they say they have placed a new bill, which will take five years. Well what are the farmers supposed to do for five years? See their family starve to death. Development is good and we all are happy about it, but developing by killing our own people does not make any sense. It is the failure of government and their working process.
The government just starts the work without any planning and also without realizing the impacts it will create on the people. Here they are trying to force law on the innocent farmers without realizing that this will really make their life more complicated. Before implementing any law, the government should analyze the impacts of the implementation of any law and should always be ready with alternatives, which at least will not compel the farmers to commit suicide. These kind of ruthless decision are not helping us to grow they are making India hollow.
