Faridabad: 13 years on, farmers who offered land for IMT await Rs 600-cr relief

Bijendra Ahlawat

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Tribune News Service

Faridabad, December 26

A total of 2,610 farmers, whose land was acquired for the development of the Industrial Model Township (IMT) here around 13 years ago, are still reportedly awaiting Rs 600 crore compensation.

Claiming that the held-up compensation was the part of the interest that applied on the delayed payment of the main cost of the land acquired in 2008, Ram Niwas Nagar, president, IMT Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, said the delay that had stretched too long had not only left the farmers at the receiving end, but also exposed the tall claims of the government regarding the acquisition policy.

He said 1,832 acres belonging to 2,610 farmers of six villages — Chandawali, Machhghar, Newada, Tigaon, Mujheri and Sotai — of Ballabgarh subdivision of the district had been acquired for the IMT through the HSIIDC.

He said the pending payment had not been released despite meetings and assurances given by the government functionaries.

It is revealed that though the land was initially acquired at Rs 16 lakh per acre, it got enhanced to Rs 60 lakh per acre after a petition was filed in the court for enhancement.

While the amount of compensation has been due since September 2014, interest on the pending payment had swelled the compensation to Rs 600 crore, it is claimed.

Jagdish of Mujheri village said despite several meetings and representations to the authorities, including the MP, relief was yet to be announced. “We had even got an assurance from the CM in 2018 and held a meeting with the authorities concerned last year, but even after no dispute over the issue, the wait for the compensation is not over,” he said. The promise of allotting alternative residential plots to farmers and jobs to local unemployed youths had also not been fulfilled, it is alleged.

IMT estate manager Vikas Chaudhary said the compensation was to be paid by the government and the HSIIDC had nothing to do with it. “Over 450 industrial units have already become functional in the IMT with a total of 862 plots,” he added.

“The issue is expected to be resolved soon as it is almost on the last stage,” said Nayan Pal Rawat, MLA, Prithla segment.