Assam: AAP demands withdrawal of ordinance on land conversion for industries

The Aam Aadmi Party, Assam has written to the Governor of Assam Jagdish Mukhi demanding the withdrawal of the ordinance on land conversion for industries.

“The decision violates the provision of the Assam Agricultural land (Regulation or re-classification and transfer Non-Agricultural purpose) Act, 2015. Moreover, it creates a big loss of the revenue of Assam in the future course and the ordinance is against the interest of indigenous people of Assam,” the party stated.

The party further questioned on what interest the cabinet took the decision which poses a threat to the economy of the state.

“The ordinance is a corporate-driven policy. The decision is an anti-farmer policy which possess a threat to the fragile ecological balance of the state,” the party stated.

Also read: Assam on sale? Govt faces flak over easing out industry set-up process

Anti-indigenous move

Criticising the move of the government, Nilay Dutta, Advocate General, State of Arunachal Pradesh, said the decision to ease out the process of setting up industries in the state is an anti-indigenous decision.

“Most anti indigenous decision by the Assam Cabinet today to allow indiscriminate conversion of agricultural land for nonagricultural purposes without permission of Revenue authorities. Land speculators will benefit. Non locals will take over all rural land of indigenous people,” he said. He further added that the local agriculturalists will have an unfortunate outcome.

Meanwhile, well-known Bollywood actor from Assam’s Goalpara, Adil Hussain termed the decision as ‘very dangerous’. “I should welcome the decision! People need jobs and employment. But then, since childhood, I have seen such insensitivity towards the environmental impact of our activities, action. This decision sounds, unfortunately, very Dangerous. Would love to hear your responses (sic),” he tweeted.

Opposition corners Govt

Meanwhile, slamming the saffron party-led coalition government in the state over its much hyped slogan to protect the Jati, Mati and Bheti, the Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia demanded immediate withdrawal of the ordinance for the greater interest of the indigenous people.

“People will become beggars at their own land if the ordinance is implemented by the government,” Saikia said.

Saying that the Agriculture Minister Atul Bora was maintaining stoic silence in the matter and nodded for the approval of the ordinance, Saikia said, “His stand has again proved that the Asom Gana Parishad is not actually the torch-bearer of the regionalism in the state. Leaders like him has changed the characteristics of the regional party.”

The decision of the government is contradictory to the promises made by the government prior to the 2016 Assembly elections to protect the Jati, Mati and Bheti by implementing the Assam Accord in letter and spirit.

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