The Administration is already under a scanner for selling off some of these lands to private developers for mega-projects like Medicity, Theme Park, Filmcity and IT Park. These have not been started yet, 2-3 years after MoUs were signed between the Administration and the developers.

The facts, when was the land bought by the Administration and for what purposes, were procured through a Right to Information application filed by the Manimajra Farmers Association.

Lately, the farmers and residents of the area, whose lands are being acquired at the same old rates, have upped the ante against the Administration, accusing it of not adopting the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy.

Angrez Singh, president of the Pind Bachao Committee, and a resident of Badheri village said the Administration acquired 70 acres of land in the village at Rs 11.80 lakh per acre in 2002. The price of land has increased substantially and in a few years, the Administration will be able to make a handsome profit out of it.

Singh said: “We have been fighting court cases for an increase in the compensation but have been partially successful. The Administration is acting like a property dealer. The land in Badheri was acquired at Rs 600 per kanal in 1970s and recently some part was sold off for Rs 13 crore per kanal.”

Probably the worse are the Sarangpur villagers. While land here was acquired for Rs 10-15 lakh per acre in 2002, the Administration has now offered to acquire 100 acres more for Rs 7.5 lakh per acre.

... contd.