Several Villages are Under Threat : Farmers

Farmers who are likely to lose land under different projects have urged the government to implement the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act- 2013 (LA Act – 2013) while acquiring land from them for reservoirs. They even plan to take legal recourse if they fail to get justice from the government.

The district unit of CPI (M) held a seminar on Monday on the problems being faced by land oustees under different projects being constructed in the district. As many as five projects — Gouravelli, Anantagiri, Ranganaiksagar, Mallannasagar and Kondapochamma — are coming up in Siddipet district and several villages are under threat of being submerged under these reservoirs. While some farmers, who had already sold their lands, are now demanding higher compensation stating that they were shortchanged, some other farmers are demanding implementation of LA Act- 2013 for agreeing to sell their lands.

“ Let the government acquire our lands under LA Act- 2013 by paying the right compensation. We are making all out efforts to protect our village from submergence. We will continue our fight to get justice,” said Hayatuddin of Vemulaghat village in Toguta mandal which would submerge under Mallannasagar.

“We were taken for a ride by the government with false promises under G.O. 123. The officials promised to increase the compensation amount if the farmers of neighbouring areas were paid higher than what we had received. Now they are not responding to our appeals,” said Narasimha Reddy, one of the farmers from Toguta mandal headquarters, who are on relay fast for the past 10 days.

Farmers losing lands under Anantagiri, Gouravelli and Ranganaiksagar also expressed similar views and demand implementation of LA Act- 2013.

Addressing the land oustees, Sarampally Mallareddy, vice-president, All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), alleged that both the State and Central governments have been trying to dilute the LA Act- 2013.

“Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has been making false claims stating irrigation water is being supplied for about 8 lakh acres whereas the fact is that it was given for only one lakh acres,” said Mr. Mallareddy, alleging that the government has been forcibly grabbing land from farmers. He has also questioned the rationale behind construction of Mallannasagar with 50 tmcft capacity.