Capt firm on anti-acquisition stir Says govt befooling Mansa farmers

Tuesday, 30/08/2011

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110830/punjab.htm#4

A day after the farmers suspended their agitation against land acquisition for the Mansa power plant, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh announced that his party leaders and workers would march to the village on September 2, demanding adequate compensation for the farmers as well as their rehabilitation.

Standing up for the farmers against the “forcible” acquisition of 850 acres of land in Gobindpura in Mansa district for a thermal plant, he said : “Till the land acquisition Bill being drafted by the Centre becomes an Act, there can be no other solution other than giving the farmers the market price for the land acquired, as is being done by the Haryana Government.

He was speaking at a press conference at the PCA stadium here today.

He was accompanied by party incharge for Punjab Gulchain Singh Charak and CLP leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal. “Everyday, party workers from different districts would march towards Gobindpura in support of the farmers.” he announced.

"Since, we are planning to hold a massive protest till the farmers' demands are met, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has tried to buy time by giving the farmers assurances. We know these are hollow, made without any intent to be fulfilled," the PCC chief said. Reiterating his stand on the Hansi Butana canal, Amarinder said he had exposed the change in stand of the Central Water Commission (CWC) on the issue.The CWC was misleading the apex court. This was tantamount to contempt of the court, he said.

On his stand on the Lokayukt, he said this institution, weakened by the SAD-BJP government, would be strengthened when the Congress came into power. Terming the SAD-BJP government as the most corrupt, he said the magnitude of corruption in Punjab was far greater than anywhere else.

On the SGPC elections, he said the party had no role to play in these elections. The party had made it clear that these elections were in no way a referendum on the performance of the ruling alliance. “The real referendum will be in February 2012,” he maintained. Gulchain Singh Charak and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said that the SGPC elections represented only a small section of voters “who cannot claim to represent the whole of Punjab.”

Capt Amarinder Singh said his letter to the Prime Minister on the activities of DGP PS Gill and Principal Secretary DS Guru had been forwarded to the Home Minister for suitable action. “If both are keen on contesting the elections, they should immediately step down on moral grounds. One cannot be an Akali jathedar and an officer at the same time”, remarked the former CM.