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| Farmers protest against land bill | Farmers protest against land bill |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of farmers have gathered on the outskirts of the Indian capital, Delhi, to protest against a move to amend a land acquisition bill. | Hundreds of farmers have gathered on the outskirts of the Indian capital, Delhi, to protest against a move to amend a land acquisition bill. |
| Farmers say amending the 115-year-old Land Acquisition Act will make it easier for the authorities to acquire their land for projects. | Farmers say amending the 115-year-old Land Acquisition Act will make it easier for the authorities to acquire their land for projects. |
| The issue of land acquisition is a very sensitive one with 65% of the country's population dependent on farming. | The issue of land acquisition is a very sensitive one with 65% of the country's population dependent on farming. |
| The three-day protest is supported by campaign groups from 15 Indian states. | The three-day protest is supported by campaign groups from 15 Indian states. |
| 'Provision misused' | 'Provision misused' |
| "The Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2009, which the government has proposed will further relax all provisions which will lead to an easier acquisition of land by the authorities," says Madhuresh who works for Sangharsh, an umbrella of 150 groups participating in the protests. | "The Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2009, which the government has proposed will further relax all provisions which will lead to an easier acquisition of land by the authorities," says Madhuresh who works for Sangharsh, an umbrella of 150 groups participating in the protests. |
| According to the Land Acquisition Act of 1894, the government has the power over all property and it can take over any private land for a "public purpose". | According to the Land Acquisition Act of 1894, the government has the power over all property and it can take over any private land for a "public purpose". |
| Campaigners say land take over deprives the poor | Campaigners say land take over deprives the poor |
| Campaigners said the authorities have often used the provision "to deprive the poor of the meagre resources of livelihood, render the agriculturists landless and to take away the rights traditionally exercised by communities over all natural resources". | Campaigners said the authorities have often used the provision "to deprive the poor of the meagre resources of livelihood, render the agriculturists landless and to take away the rights traditionally exercised by communities over all natural resources". |
| In recent years, the government has acquired land sometimes only for the benefit of private corporations and commercial interests and profits, the campaigners allege. | In recent years, the government has acquired land sometimes only for the benefit of private corporations and commercial interests and profits, the campaigners allege. |
| Governments have been acquiring large tracts of land to set up special economic zones (SEZs) which they say will generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and bring in new earnings. | Governments have been acquiring large tracts of land to set up special economic zones (SEZs) which they say will generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and bring in new earnings. |
| But critics say this amounts to a land grab, given the lack of transparency and rampant corruption in government. | But critics say this amounts to a land grab, given the lack of transparency and rampant corruption in government. |
| The issue of land acquisition is highly sensitive in India and in recent years, attempts by authorities to acquire farm land have led to violent protests. | The issue of land acquisition is highly sensitive in India and in recent years, attempts by authorities to acquire farm land have led to violent protests. |
| Last year, violent protests by angry farmers led Tata Motors to move their car production from the town of Singur in West Bengal state to the western state of Gujarat. | Last year, violent protests by angry farmers led Tata Motors to move their car production from the town of Singur in West Bengal state to the western state of Gujarat. |
| And on October last year, farmers in Raigad in western Maharashtra state voted against a proposed SEZ by Reliance Industries. | And on October last year, farmers in Raigad in western Maharashtra state voted against a proposed SEZ by Reliance Industries. |
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