Farmers’ charter of demands: SEZs in villages,better compensation

In a rally held at Khuda Alisher village today,the farmers of the region demanded that they be allowed to set up Special Economic Zones (SEZs) of non-polluting and IT-enabled industries in the villages. Various other resolutions were also passed during the rally.

The farmers said that the UT Administrator should step down till the Central Vigilance Commission’s inquiry into the controversial land deals is complete. The farmers also demanded to be given 50 per cent from the lease collected by the Chandigarh Administration since the amended Land Acquisition Act states that if a farmer’s land is acquired and auctioned for a commercial venture,then 80 per cent of the unearned income should be given back to the farmers.

While addressing the rally,the sarpanches from different villages said that the houses made outside the lal dora area should be regularised and jobs be reserved for all oustees and their family members.

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Balwinder Singh,sarpanch of Khuda Jassu village,rued that the government has regularised up to three storeys in rehabilitation colonies but the same is not applicable for houses outside the lal dora. Angrez Singh,chairman of the Pind Bachao Committee,stated that it should be the responsibility of the government to rehabilitate the farmers.

Brig K S Kahlon,president of Chandigarh Sanjha Morcha,called upon all village panchayats to form an 11-member volunteer committee to support the cause of farmers.