Indian grain farmers protest on possible cut on arable land

Hundreds of farmers have gathered on the outskirts of Indian capital Delhi to protest against a move to amend a land acquisition bill that would deprive farmers of land for growing crops.

The 115-year-old Land Acquisition Act gives the government the power over all property and any private land can be taken over for a ''public purpose''.

With 65 percent of India's population dependent on farming, the issue of farm land acquisition is very sensitive and has provoked violent protests before. The three-day protest is supported by campaign groups from 15 Indian states.

Campaigners said the authorities have often used the Act to deprive farmers of arable land and in recent years has acquired land only for the benefit of private corporations and commercial interests and profits.

Now that the government plans to amend the Land Acquisition Act, farmers are concerned that the amendment will make it easier for the authorities to acquire their land for projects.

Governments have been acquiring large tracts of land to set up special economic zones which they say will generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and bring in new earnings.

But critics said this amounts to a land grab, given the lack of transparency and rampant corruption in government.