Swaraj Abhiyan holds national conclave against land bill

New Delhi: Swaraj Abhiyan, led by former AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, has intensified farmers' mobilisation against the land bill, weeks ahead of its plan to lead a 'tractor march' to the Parliament during the monsoon session.

A two-day national conclave, attended by representatives of over 80 farmers' organisations, as part of the group's 'Jai Kisan Andolan' began here today and was led by Yadav and Anand Kumar, who termed it as a "solidarity meeting".

Yadav, who has been vocal against the Centre's proposed amendments to the Land Act, called for a mechanism to ensure minimum income for the farmers along with a Pay Commission for the farming community.

"There have been six Pay Commissions for other jobs, seventh Pay Commission is on the way. Not a single one for farmers as yet," he said.

This is in tune with the demands of Jai Kisan Andolan which also include withdrawal of the land bill and comprehensive, assured and adequate compensation against natural calamity.

"The compensation process is faulty as a farmer gets compensation only when 50 per cent of his crop is destroyed and only if entire block suffers crop loss.

"Recent amendment suggested to Land Acquisition Bill by Modi government is anti-farmer. Amendment suggests that farmer's consent is not needed for any acquisition. He cannot approach Courts too," Yadav said in his address.

The march is scheduled to be flagged off from Punjab's Sangrur on August 1, following which it will make its way through Uttar Pradesh before reaching the national capital on August 10.