Sonia Gandhi leads massive opposition march to President's House against Modi govt’s Land Bill

Congress president Sonia Gandhi led over 100 leaders from eleven opposition parties as they marched in a massive show of strength against the controversial Land Acquisition Bill to President's House in New Delhi on Tuesday. The march started from the Mahatma Gandhi statue outside Parliament and is expected to end with a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee against the amendments proposed by the Narendra Modi government to a similar bill passed by the UPA in 2013. Other leaders who walked with Sonia included former prime minister Manmohan Singh, CPM's Sitaram Yechury, CPI's D Raja, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien and Dinesh Trivedi, Samajwadi Party's Ramgopal Yadav, DMK's Kanimozhi, INLD's Dushyant Chautala and the RJD's Prem Chand Gupta.

Rahul Gandhi in UP, interacts with rickshaw pullers in Varanasi, Part 02

Varanasi: As part of his ongoing discussions regarding the Congress Manifesto with various sections of the society, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday interacted with rickshaw pullers in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi. Speaking to a number of rickshaw pullers, Rahul Gandhi said that 'our intention is to build a strong base to live for the poor.' Some rickshaw pullers even demanded rickshaw stands that were present during Indira Gandhi's time. Rahul Gandhi patiently listened to the issues of the rickshaw pullers and offered all possible help to solve it. "Some leaders at present, come to you, give big speeches and vanish; I am not of that type. I am here to listen toy you, to know your issues" said Rahul Gandhi.

I am happy, says Rahul Gandhi on the passage of Land Acquisition bill in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the landmark Land Acquisition Bill, which seeks to provide just and fair compensation to farmers while ensuring that no land can be acquired forcibly, with overwhelming majority. The bill is definitely is the brain-child of Congress Vice President and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi.

"I am happy that Land Acquisition Bill has been passed", said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi after the passage of the path-breaking Bill. Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, though she is under rest after a hospital check-up,  also attended the proceedings for a brief period.
"The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2012" stipulates mandatory consent of at least 70 per cent for acquiring land for Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects and 80 per cent for acquiring land for private companies.

The Bill, which will replace over a century-old law, proposes compensation that is up to four times the market value in rural areas and two times the market value in urban areas.

The Bill was passed with 216 votes in favour and 19 against. Left parties, AIADMK and BJD members staged a walkout. Trinamool Congress voted against the Bill while main Opposition BJP as also SP and BSP supported the legislation.
Following are the highlights of the Land Acquisition Bill passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday:

-Payment of compensations that is up to 4 times the market value in rural areas and 2 times the market value in urban areas.

- To address historical injustice the Bill applies retrospectively to cases where no land acquisition award has been made.

- No law can be acquired in Scheduled Areas without the consent of the Gram Sabhas.

- No one shall be dispossessed until and unless all payments are made and alternative sites for the resettlement and rehabilitation have been prepared.
- Compensation to those who are dependent on the land being acquired for their livelihood.

- In cases where PPP projects are involved or acquisition is taking place for private companies, the Bill requires the consent of no less than 70 per cent and 80 per cent respectively (in both cases) of those whose land is sought to be acquired.

- To safeguard food security and to prevent arbitrary acquisition, the Bill directs States to impose limits on the area under agricultural cultivation that can be acquired.

- In case land remains unutilised after acquisition, the new Bill empowers states to return the land either to the owner or to the State Land Bank.
- No income tax shall be levied and no stamp duty shall be charged on any amount that accrues to an individual as a result of the provisions of the new law.
- Where acquired land is sold to a third party for a higher price than 40 per cent of the appreciated land value (or profit) will be shared with the original owners.

- In every project those losing land and belonging to the SC or ST will be provided land equivalent to land acquired or two and a one-half acres, whichever is lower (this is higher than in the case of non-SC/ST affected families)
- Where the affected families belonging to the SC and the ST are relocated outside of the district then they shall be paid an additional 25 rehabilitation and resettlement benefits to which they are entitled in monetary terms along with a one-time entitlement of fifty thousand rupees.

381 amendments were moved to the Bill, of which 166 were official ones. Of the Opposition amendments, some were withdrawn and others defeated during voting.
The government accepted some opposition amendments, including two moved by Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj. These included that instead of acquisition, land could be leased to developers so that its ownership remains with farmers and provide them regular annual income.

Asserting that the new law will address "historical injustice", the Government said this law is being enacted under the Concurrent list and the states can bring their own law on the subject without derogating from the central law. The Bill will replace the archaic Act of 1894 which suffers from various shortcomings including silence on the issue of resettlement and rehabilitation of those displaced by the acquisition of land.

I and my family belong to Kashmir says Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while addressing a public function in Jammu & Kashmir said that he and his family too belong to Kashmir. Striking an emotional chord with the people he said that he has a special bond with the state of J&K.

Rahul Gandhi in Punjab concerns over growing problems of drug addiction

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is addressing a big Congress rally at Punjab University ground. He expressed happiness for the fact when many other countries are struggling, India is surging ahead. Rahul Gandhi said that country needs more youth participation in the process of development. Rahul Gandhi also said that in Punjab 7% of the people are having problems of drug addiction.

Rahul Gandhi: We need to build a structured system to handle complexities

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi while says that India is a society with a lot of complexities and we are all very good to deal with it. Personalities like Sam Pitroda also was present.

Rahul Gandhi: Indians are very good in dealing with complexities

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi says that India is a society with a lot of complexities and we are all very good to deal with it.

Rahul Gandhi--a progressive leader with modern vision

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi while attending an interactive session said that India is a society with a lot of complexities and we are all very good to deal with it. Personalities like Sam Pitroda also attended it.

Sonia Gandhi in Malda talks about UPA's welfare policies for minorities

Congress President and UPA Chairperson visited Malda in West Bengal to attend the function for laying foundation stone of a Technical institute named after late Congress leader ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury. "The UPA Government at the Centre has given priority for the welfare, empowerment and upliftment of backward classes and minorities. We, for the first time ever, opened a new ministry for minority affairs. We have been implementing the recommendations of the Sachchar Committee. We also have identified 90 minority-dominated regions across the country, including Malda, and sanctioned a new package for development. We have upgraded the Prime Minister's 15-point programme for the welfare of minorities and he has been personally supervising its progress" said Sonia Gandhi.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Raebareli; urges partymen to be more visible among masses

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is on a one-day visit to Raebareli, the parliament constituency of her mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi. She interacted with the Congress workers in the region and also inaugurated a five-days training camp for the party workers.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra-- the charismatic Congress campaigner

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra -- the daughter of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and sister of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is one of the most charismatic leaders in the Congress. She easily connects with the people wherever she goes.

Sonia Gandhi slams BJP Govt in Gujarat for its anti-people policies

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi takes on BJP and says that the BJP government in Gujarat ignored the welfare of the people and development of the state.

Sonia Gandhi talks about the UPA's policy for farmers' welfare

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi explains about the various welfare measures taken by the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. She explained about the loan-waiving off policy for the poor farmers which helped them in a great extent.

Rahul Gandhi gets a rousing welcome in Amethi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi received a rousing welcome when he visited Amethi, his parliament constituency. He visited Amethi for the first time after taking over as the Congress Vice President.

Sonia Gandhi, a perfect leader with aam aadmi her priority

The Congress is surging ahead under the leadership of party president Sonia Gandhi. With her matured and long-vision ideas, Congress is hopeful to gain more political strength in the coming days. Sonia Gandhi has also been the guiding force behind the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre.

Sonia Gandhi, the Congress President with clear vision and modern idea

The Congress is surging ahead under the leadership of party president Sonia Gandhi. With her matured and long-vision ideas, Congress is hopeful to gain more political strength in the coming days.

Congress has a young Vice President in Rahul Gandhi

The entire Congress across the country is now tremendously happy as the young leader Rahul Gandhi was appointed as Congress Vice President. Rahul Gandhi , after taking over as the Vice President of the party made a memorable speech at the Chintan Shivir at Jaipur.

Budget 2013: Chidambaram's response to Rahul Gandhi's view - Adequate focus on youth

The Union budget 2013 presented by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram is a balanced one with adequate focus on youth affairs. Newly appointed Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has been stressing for the need of addressing the issues of the youth and their empowerment. This has been the priorities of Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi also.

Oust the Left Front Govt in Tripura: Rahul Gandhi urges the people

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Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday urged the people to oust the Left Front government in Tripura and elect a opro-people Congress government in the state. While addressing a big Congress rally in Agartala, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the 20 years misrule by the CPM led government did nothing for the development in Tripura.

Rahul Gandhi in Tripura takes on Left front Govt.

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Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi while addressing an election rally in Tripura’s Sonamura on Monday urged the people to vote out the present Left Front government. Rahul Gandhi said, “In all other states in the country there is a government and the people. But in the Left Front-ruled Tripura, the CPM stands between the government and the common people. So, it is high time you use your valuable vote to remove the organisation standing between you and the government.”