Not many know that farmers have collectively lost more than ₹70,000 crore as unpaid compensation due to the installation of new transmission lines for 1 lakh kilometres in the last ten years.
Compensation for the lines passing over agricultural land had always remained a ticklish issue, thanks to nebulous rulings, indifference of power infrastructure developers, arbitrary interpretation by the bureaucracy and finally, the inability of the farmers to convince all the above, .
The order issued recently by the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) comes as a ray of hope for over 35,000 farmers across the State, who have been fighting for compensation. The order clearly mentions that the farmers, on whose land the towers are installed and the overhead transmission lines pass over, have a rightful claim for compensation from AP Transco and the Power Grid Corporation, which have laid lines in the State since 2007.
‘Urban bias’
“While metro rail developers in cities contacted and convinced every stakeholder with fair compensation, the farmers are left to fend for themselves. Why are there different yardsticks for an urban elite resident and a farmer?” wonders Peddireddy Chengal Reddy, chief advisor of Consortium of Indian Farmers Associations (CIFA).
Speaking to The Hindu on Wednesday, Mr. Reddy said the companies took refuge under the Telegraph Act of 1885 for taking up the projects, instead of the Works of Licensees Rules issued by the Central government in 2006 and the AP Works of Licensees Rules, 2007.
“In case of conflict, the issue goes to the district Collector, who can settle it through fair compensation, which has never happened,” he rued.
Expressing displeasure that the rules are not being followed in letter and spirit, the order issued by APERC Director (Administration) C. Ramakrishna clearly indicated that the same be brought to the notice of the district Collectors concerned.
“Compensation is decided unilaterally and an amount is fixed for properties across the district, which is highly unscientific. In one such case, the amount was fixed by the Chief Engineer himself,” Mr. Reddy fumed. In fact, Chittoor district has on several occasion witnessed arrest of farmers at dawn to facilitate installation of towers.
The affected farmers will have to file a revision petition.