Farmers unite against Faridabad land pooling

Haryana’s ambitious plan to set up a new industrial township in Faridabad has hit a roadblock with farmers from 11 villages uniting against the proposed land pooling scheme.

Rates fixed by govt too low

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The rates fixed by the government are too low. A little difference between compensation and market price is understood, but this gap will lead to major losses. – Farmer representative

Led by former Congress MLA from Tigaon, Lalit Nagar, the farmers met Union Minister of State Krishan Pal Gurjar to register their protest. They told him that they would “under no circumstances” allow land acquisition at the current rates.

As per the government’s blueprint, HSIIDC is to acquire 9,000 acres from nine villages in Faridabad and Palwal to develop an industrial city along the Greenfield Expressway, which will connect the project to Noida International Airport. In parallel, HSVP plans to expand its residential and commercial sectors by acquiring another 4,500 acres from several villages including Khedi Kalan, Nacholi, Tajpur, Dhakola, Shahbad, Badarpur Said, Sahupura, Sotai, Sunped, Malerna, Jajaru, Bhainsrawali, Fattupura, Bhuapur, Jasana, Faridpur, Sadpura and Tigaon.

The farmers opposing the move alleged that the government’s compensation formula grossly undervalues their land. “The market rate of our lands is at least Rs 4 crore per acre, but the government is calculating compensation at Rs 1 crore per acre. The rates fixed are too low. They want us to give away our ancestral lands for development but are not ready to pay the apt price,” said a farmer representative.

Responding to their concerns, Gurjar assured the farmers that there would be no coercion. “I can assure you that nobody will be forced to give up their land. If the farmers have any specific rate bracket in their mind, they should communicate with the government. It will be a mutual decision. If there is no consensus, the land will not be taken,” he said.