Lacking numbers in Rajya Sabha for passage of key bills, the government appealed for opposition support, saying "Congress and friends" should back it to give "push for development" considering the larger interest of people's welfare. Parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu said these were part of the government's efforts for a "push for development" initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Insurance and coal bills were passed in Lok Sabha, but the government is faced with the tough task of ensuring their passage in the Upper House where it lacks the numbers.

Naidu said that the land acquisition bill is 'pro-farmer', land is required for various purposes, including for irrigation schemes and constructing dams, which would benefit farmers. "How can you construct dams, irrigation tanks, airports and lay new railway lines without acquiring land. From 1894 to 2013 there was a land acquisition act. Was this anti-farmer? The Prime Minister has said that if you have any meaningful suggestion you can make it," which the government will incorporate, he said. BJP government under Shri A B Vajpayee had initiated, among others, rail, road and rural connectivity and "Modiji is also doing this and the opposition should support it," he said.

By Premji