Noida land acquisition: farmers up in arms

“The acquisition is being done on the basis of the 1894 Land Acquisition Act,which holds no relevance for us today. We are awaiting the central government’s nod to the bill (for the new Land Acquisition Act) in the upcoming parliamentary session,” Sanjay Bhati,a Dadri-based farmer and one of the key protestors,said.

According to farmers,there are many loopholes in the old Act,which the new Land Acquisition Act 2007 will overcome if the government clears it in the winter session.

“There are so many who do not own land. These farmers work on the fields of landed farmers to earn their livelihood. They do not get a share of the compensation in the land acquisition process and are bound to lose their livelihood,” said Ramveer Rathi,resident of Patwari village of Greater Noida.

The farmers also alleged that the rehabilitation promised by the government to those who were displaced in the process was not given. Some even alleged that the land of Gram Vikas,which cannot be acquired by the government,has also been acquired by authorities.

“In our villages,there was land allocated for development. This is Gram Sabha’s land and cannot be acquired as the land is marked for development of infrastructure in the village,like construction of schools,playfields or leasing land to unemployed farmers who earn their daily bread by working on it. Even that land is being acquired,” Bhati alleged.

The farmers demanded that authorities promise employment for one person from the family whose land has been taken over. Also,120 square metre plots should be given to poor farmers who have lost their daily wages after land acquisition.

Around 200 farmers visit various villages daily to garner support for their demands. They have also started a padyatra from September 25.