Solar power plant oustees demand compensation

Kadiri(Anantapur): Large number of farmers belonging to Nambulapoolakunta of Kadiri mandal in Anantapur district have been protesting against the denial of compensation to them after their land was taken over for an NTPC solar hub.

CPM local leaders including Rambhopal accused the TDP government of taking the displaced farmers of NTPC project for a ride. They had paid compensation to only a section of the farmers and had left in the lurch many of the farmers who had given their lands to the NTPC firm.

The CPM leaders maintained that the State ministers and revenue officials had earlier assured the farmers at Gram Sabhas that the evacuees will be given a compensation of Rs 2.10 lakh per acre, employment in construction works, land,, goats and sheep for rearing.

More than 6,300 acres have been taken over for the solar project, but the compensation of Rs 2 lakh per acre was not paid for hundreds of farmers, many of whom were cultivating the assigned or government land for decades, they said.

Some patta holders were deprived of compensation due to corruption among officials. As the state government did not address the problems, the CPM organised dharnas and agitations during the last three months.