Hyderabad: Opposition parties and various social organisations including TJAC and OUJAC had supported the farmers, conducting huge rallies and dharnas over the past few weeks. The agitations had even turned violent with the police resorting to lathi charge.
On Saturday, the CM held an emergency meeting with senior ministers and officials at his camp office to discuss the land acquisition issue. It was decided to pay compensation to farmers as per the Central Act and allow them to choose between the Centre’s and the state’s Act.
“TS land acquisition policy is no way inferior to the Centre’s Act. We are offering decent compensation in addition to providing 2BHK houses, compensating for the loss of trees, houses, cattle etc. But Opposition parties and some vested interests have misled farmers with false propaganda that the Centre’s Act would be more beneficial. Our policy was brought only to expedite the acquisition process for the speedy completion of projects, which would immensely benefit farmers. No middlemen are involved in this and cheques are being handed over to farmers on the spot, unlike the Centre’s Act, which is a prolonged process. We should put an end to this controversy now. For that, the government has decided to pay compensation as per the Centre’s Act for those who prefer it and as per the state’s policy for those who want it. The choice has ben left to the farmers,” Mr Rao told ministers and officials.
Later, the CMO came out with an official release stating: “Farmers are free to choose between Centre and state governments’ compensation and the government is ready to approve whatever they want.”
Officials said the decision would be applicable only for the Mallannasagar project as of now since the demand had come only from these farmers, and a decision on extending the same to other districts would be taken based on the situation.
Farmers, who have already handed over their lands under GO 123, can also seek compensation under Centre’s Act if they want. They need to submit an application to the respective MRO in this regard.
Scrap GO 123, say farmers
Farmers in Medak district welcomed the decision of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao to offer compensation as the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and demanded that the government scrap GO 123 altogether.
They expressed doubts over the CM’s statement that both the Centre’s Act and GO 123 would be in force and they will have the choice to opt for the one.
Some feel that this was done to create a wedge and confusion between them and to scuttle their protest against GO 123.
