Prime Ministre Narendra Modi has said misconceptions being spread on the Land Acquisition Bill are harming the nation. Just last week, the Government re-promulgated the Land Ordinance as it failed to get the land bill passed in the Rajya Sabha during the recently concluded first leg of the Budget session.

Inaugurating a conference of States’ Environment Ministers here on Monday, he said development and environment protection can go hand in hand, but there are serious misconceptions being spread in this regard. Giving the example of the Land Acquisition Bill, he said the provisions of the Bill do not touch tribal and forest land. But serious misconceptions and lies are being spread about this bill

“The land bill has no mention. There is no word on tribal and forest land in the bill. The tribals and their land do not come under the ambit of the land bill. Still, people who lack knowledge run this (campaign) 24 hours. They do not know,” Modi said while adding that there are efforts to mislead society on the issue. “For you it must be a small issue, a matter of your political principles, but do you realise how much it is hurting the country,” he said.

He said the ongoing campaign must end. “A debate based on facts and truth is welcome. After all it is a democracy. But when truth lacks weight, you spread lies. A country is not run like this,” he said. This remark has come against the backdrop of the Government trying to build a consensus on the land bill in the Rajya Sabha where the NDA lacks the numbers.

He also said the people of India have been the protectors and devotees of nature. “We need to project this fact properly, so that the world realises that India cannot be questioned in this regard,” he said while adding that Indians have always conserved nature, and even today, have among the lowest per-capita carbon emission, globally.

He said the way forward is not just restrictions, but changing lifestyles. He said the culture of recycle and re-use is not new for India. Instead of being forced to follow parameters laid down by others, India should lead the world in the fight against climate change, he added.

Modi called upon the world to ease restrictions on import of nuclear fuel to the country, so that India can also produce clean nuclear energy in a big way. He said the Government is focusing on clean energy generation in a big way, through solar radiation, wind and biomass.

The Prime Minister, who was presented a report on the status of tigers in India, expressed satisfaction at the reported increase in the country's tiger population, and said it was an illustration of India's commitment and respect for nature.