Bengaluru: Opposition leader in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to acquire land for pending railway projects as per the Land Acquisition Bill passed during the UPA’s tenure.

Criticising the state government’s decision to go for acquisition of land under the KIADB Act, he said, “It is nothing but an act of depriving the farmers from getting better monetary benefits guaranteed by the Central Act.”

Speaking to reporters minister said, “If the Congress leaders have any reservation on the NDA government’s land acquisition law, nothing should prevent the state government from invoking the land law passed by the Congress-led UPA government,” he said.

Shettar said, “Because of the ‘anti-development stance’ of the Chief Minister, people of the state may lose the benefits of extension of railway network.” Referring to the panchayat elections, he criticised the state government’s failure to announce the roster for the posts of presidents and vice-presidents of the panchayats along with the elections.

“The delay on part of the state government is a conspiracy to deny key posts to the supporters of BJP in the post-poll scenario.”

It would also result in horse-trading and intimidation of the candidates who won the elections, he said.

On the steep hike in fees for admissions to professional colleges, including medical and engineering, he said, “It will hurt the interests of meritorious poor students.”

Demanding that the state government rollback the hike, he said, “The party will extend all support to ABVP, the student wing of the BJP, which is planning to launch an agitation against the state government.”