Gujarat government would never acquire land for corporates : Patel
While speaking at a public function in Bharuch on Thursday, Patel alleged that some political parties are "misleading" farmers about the bill, an official release in Ahmedabad said.
In an indirect attack on the Congress, Patel said it is the same party which forcibly acquired farmers' lands during its rule and sold grazing (gauchar) land to others, it said. She said while devising this new bill Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept the interest of farmers in his mind.
The chief minister asked the farmers not to listen to those opposing the bill, since according to her, they are hindering the development process, the release stated. Speaking about BJP government in Gujarat, Patel stated that during the last 15 years, it had never acquired land forcibly from any farmer.
According to the chief minister, 7.5% hike in irrigation rates has been suspended for one year from June 16 2015 to June 15, 2016. Farmers who have suffered 33% or more damage will be given assistance of Rs 6,800 per hectare for non-irrigated land and Rs 12,500 for irrigated land. For all-season crops, this amount will be Rs 18,000.
Assistance will be in limit of two hectares. Farmers, who have suffered 25-33% damage, will also get assistance. Minimum amount of assistance will be Rs 2,000.
