Before acquiring Greater Noida land,hold public hearings,say farmers

“Land agitation has hurt the interests of both farmers and buyers. One of the main issues was the usurping of land under the urgency clause. They are going to acquire land for development projects under the Greater Noida Master Plan. Therefore,we have asked for public hearings and intimation so we can voice our grievances in case any acquisition takes place,” a BKSS member said.

Dushyant Nagar,a member of the organisation said,“The major bone of contention was the issue of regularisation of abadi (residential) land. This happened because there were problems in the earlier government estimates of the people living in our villages. Therefore,we want another survey to take place before any land is acquired.”

The farmers also asked for schools,colleges and hospitals to be built in the area.

“When we were negotiating with the administration and the Greater Noida Authority was asking us to call off our protests,we were promised schools,roads and hospitals. This is a legitimate demand because when our land was acquired under the urgency clause,all of this was promised. Therefore,we have asked for roads,a green belt,schools and colleges for our children,which will not only provide opportunities in these sectors,but will also provide employment when they are being built,” Bhisham Singh,another BKSS member,said.