The land acquisition process for units under the proposed National Industrial and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) hit a roadblock again. The farmers of two villages – Basantapur and Malkalpadu - have refused to sell their lands to the government stating that the price being offered to them was too low and not sufficient.
While the government offered ₹7 lakh per acre the farmers demanded ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh an acre. The meeting was inconclusive.
Joint Collector K. Nikhila Reddy along with other officials held a meeting with the farmers on Thursday at the Revenue Divisional Officer’s (RDO) office here.
She informed the farmers that the government was ready to offer ₹7 lakh per acre for the lands that would be acquired under the NIMZ. About 40 farmers from both the villages attended the meeting.
“The government has two options - one is to acquire land as per Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act- 2013 (LA Act -2013) and pay compensation as directed by the Act or to hold negotiations with farmers and come to an understanding on the payment of compensation.
“We know how the land rate is fixed as per the LA Act and we will be forced to opt for legal course of action if the government does not respond,” M. Panduraga Reddy, a farmer and an advocate, told The Hindu.
He was one among several farmers, who participated in the discussions.
“The meeting ended inconclusively as the gap between the offer made by the government and the demand put forth by the farmers was too wide. While a farmer asked ₹16 lakh per acre another farmer asked for ₹40 lakh per acre. The decision has to be taken at highest level and the Joint Collector promised to take the issue to the notice of the Collector,” said an officer who was present during the discussions.
