DRDA asked not to allow purchase of agricultural land by multinationals

Jul 9,  2:14 PM The government today asked the District Rural Development Agencies, DRDA, not to allow the multinational companies to purchase agricultural land in the country. The Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development, Ms Anita Chaudhary said that it will adversly affect the agriculture production in the country. Citing the example of South Africa, the Secretary said that multinational companies have purchased 40 per cent agricultural land in Africa, especially in Ethopia. She was inaugurating a two day National Confernce of Project Directors of District Rural Development Agencies, DRDA, in New Delhi. Ms Chaudhary said, DRDA has to play a great role to save the agricuture which is the biggest source of livelihood for people in India. On this occasion, the Secretary in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ms Vilasani Ramachandran said that government will emphasise on drinking water and sanitation in the 12th Plan. She asked the district directors that under the Indira Awas Yojana, every house should have a toilet in the house.