Indian government pushing land bill despite opposition

New Delhi

INDIA'S reformist government went on the offensive on Monday, pushing ahead with a plan to make industrial land purchases easier that sets a course of direct confrontation with an opposition that accuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing farmers.

Mr Modi's government passed a slew of economic reforms before a March recess in parliament's budget session, and now wants to cap his first year with a new national sales tax and amendments to a land law that he says has halted industrial development.