Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) chairman Prof. M. Kodandaram who interacted with farmers here on Tuesday said that they were ready to move the court to get justice for those who lost their lands due to laying of high tension lines.
Prof. Kondandaram who met farmers at the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh office here was told by farmers Durgaiah, Lakshmi, Ramachandraiah and Malla Reddy how the High Tension lines were laid over their farms without their consent and how nominal compensation was paid to them despite orders from collector to pay adequate compenation.
“As per the 1885 Telegraph Act and 2003 Electricity Act, these departments have every right to lay poles and lines wherever it was required.
However, these HT lines have to be laid after taking permission from the officer concerned, who can impose conditions. Here, the collector fixed the amount for compensation, which is not being paid.
It was the responsibility of the collector to see that his orders were implemented in letter and spirit,” said Prof. Kodandaram. Alleging that there was no protection for farmer’s lands, he said that they were being snatched away by the government in the name of projects.
Referring to their arrest at Bailampur in Siddipet district on Monday, the TJAC leader said that they were taken into custody while having tea at the house of a farmer under Section 30 of Police Act.
“Under the Act, there should not be any meetings on roads. We have gathered at the panchayat office. This is gross injustice and misuse of power,” commented Prof, Kodandaram.