PM defends Land Bill, backs black money probe in Natl exec

"Whatever your policy, your intention was not right, ours is. Hence we have gone ahead in the race of development," he said.

Accusing the opposition of spreading falsehoods on the issue of black money, he said his government had taken several initiatives to curb black money including forming special investigation team and bringing a bill in parliament on illegal money stashed abroad.

Facing attack over the new Land Acquisition Bill, Modi said land records would be "reformed" for farmers' benefit and attacked the opposition for "spreading lies" that the government is working against the interests of the farming community. Modi further said his government was working to empower the farmers as it realises that India cannot make progress till villages develop.

Contending that he had lived among the farmers, Modi said he could understand their plight and was working with "good intention" to address their woes.

"How did farmer's lose their land? Where did it go? To get a job of a peon for their children or to make them a driver, they used to be compelled to sell their land to pay bribes.The (previous) governments compelled them to (sell land)," said Modi.

"Land records will be reformed so that farmers get back their land (which they lost). For this, we will launch a big campaign," he said.

Targeting opposition which has mounted a campaign over Land Bill without naming anybody, Modi said, "Those spreading lies do not know how to protect interests of farmers."