Land Acquisition Bill: Congress launches 'Zameen Wapsi' website, warms up for farmers' rally

New Delhi: To counter the Narendra Modi government's amended Land Acquisition Bill, the Congress party on Saturday launched a bilingual website named 'Zameen Wapsi' (http://zameenwapsi.com) that will provide misinformation on Land Bill.

The website was launched just a day before the party's mega farmers' rally here and on a day when Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi met farmers in his first engagement after being back from nearly two-month-long vacation.

Addressing a press conference here, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, “This website will constantly get updated. It will provide information about land acquisition through a single click.”

He further said, “We will reach to the people through this website, we will ensure a grievance redressal mechanism on this website.”

“We will also put the Land Acquisition Acts of different states on this website,” the former Union minister added.

Another Congress leader RS Surjewala said that through the website ‘Zameen Wapsi’, information whether in Hindi or English can be obtained.

Further hitting out at the Modi government, he said, “Some false facts are being spread regarding the Fair Compensation Act 2013 and amendments made by the Modi government in the Land Bill.”

Party General Secretary Digvijay Singh, who is the convenor of tomorrow's rally, dared the government for an open debate on the land acquisition issue.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari say that they are ready for a debate. If that was the case why did they bring the ordinance. Gadkari talks of debate in such a way as if he was throwing a challenge. I as well as Jairam Ramesh are ready for such a debate wherever they like," said Singh.

Tomorrow's farmers' rally, which the Congress party plans to organise at the Ram Lila grounds here is significant as it is being held on the eve of the second phase of the Budget session of Parliament.

Leaders of as many as 14 opposition parties had marched under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi to the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the first phase of the Budget session to protest against the controversial land bill.

Meanwhile, the official Twitter Account of Indian National Congress (INC) wrote: “Follow @ZameenWapsi, the Official Twitter handle of http://www.zameenwapsi.com/ to know every aspect of the Land Acquisition Act”.

Follow @ZameenWapsi, the Official Twitter handle of http://t.co/Q93Hz8w5gi to know every aspect of the Land Acquisition Act — INC India (@INCIndia) April 18, 2015

Join the revolution zameenwapsi, tomorrow at Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi

— Zameen Wapsi (@ZameenWapsi) April 18, 2015

Zameen ki jung# Land acquisition ordinance 2015 is anti farmers & common man. Join us to save our land against forced acquisition. Jai Ho ! — Zameen Wapsi (@ZameenWapsi) April 6, 2015

Earlier in the day, making his first public appearance after his nearly two-month long absence, Rahul Gandhi declared that he will oppose tooth and nail the Land Acquisition Bill and make the government heed to their demands for its withdrawal.

Holding two interactive sessions with farmers and their representatives from various states at his residence a day before the party's mega Kisan Rally here, the Congress leader told them that he and his party will fight a "decisive battle" on farmers' issues including the NDA's Land Acquisition Bill, according to party leaders.

Farmer leaders said that Gandhi asked them what were their views on the new land law brought by the Modi government, how much damage has happened to their crop due to unseasonal rain and hailstorm recently, and what is the rate at which the government is purchasing their produce.

Some of the farmers, who took part in the first 50-minute interaction with him, rued that people who had no understanding of grassroot issues and knowledge of agriculture are engaged in drafting policies for them, be it the present BJP-led government or the earlier Congress-led government at the Centre.

Is Land Bill the big issue on which Congress can piggyback to prominence? in Zee News's Hangs on LockerDome

(With Agency inputs)