Farmers lock HSIIDC centre over non-payment of dues

Tribune News Service

Ambala, April 26

Demanding payments for their acquired land, nearly 100 farmers today staged a demonstration and locked the gate of the Haryana State Industries Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) centre at Saha in the district.

The farmers said that nearly 688 acres were acquired by the department in two phases in Saha, Dhakaula and Bihta villages in 1999, but they were yet to receive the compensation of nearly Rs 500 crore.

Farmer leader Pritam Singh said: “We have been waiting for the compensation for the past many years and met officials of the department several times, but to no avail. Even a court has given directions in 2014 in the regard, but the department still fails to release the payments.”

RK Mehta, Senior Manager, HSIIDC, Saha, tried to pacify the farmers. He assured the protesters that the payment for 410 acres, which were acquired in the first phase, would be made within a month, while the position on the remaining 278 acres would be cleared within 10 days. Following the assurance, the farmers ended their protest.