Farmers demand adequate compensation for IIM land

Farmers demand adequate compensation for IIM land
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Farmers of Gambeeram in Anandapuram mandal are up against the government for its move to acquire their lands for the proposed Indian Institute of Management. Foundation-stone laying ceremony for the IIM by Union HRD Minister Smrithi Irani in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday has been cancelled following the protest by the farmers for the past few days.

Irani cancels foundation-stone laying ceremony

Visakhapatnam: Farmers of Gambeeram in Anandapuram mandal are up against the government for its move to acquire their lands for the proposed Indian Institute of Management. Foundation-stone laying ceremony for the IIM by Union HRD Minister Smrithi Irani in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday has been cancelled following the protest by the farmers for the past few days.

Though a major part of the land belongs to the government, the officials of the Andhra Pradesh Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) have proposed to acquire a part of the land from farmers. Around 350 acres of the land is being acquired for the IIM and half would be for the greenery. The farmers have been demanding fair compensation for their lands or replacement for the lands being taken by the government.

They also obstructed a delegation by Collector N Yuvraj and Higher Education and Technical Education Commissioner K Sunitha demanding compensation before beginning any work. “Since we have been here for nearly 40 years, we want the land for our living and we have been cultivating since many generations which cannot be left so easily”, said Lakshmi, resident of Duvvavanipalem.

There are nearly 150 families holding nearly 350 acres of land which has been their living for many years. About 27 farmers who have D form pattas will be compensated as per the GO but the families having no documents are left bare as such they demanded justice but the officials pointed out that as they have no proper documentation they cannot pay compensation for the same. One of the farmers B Srinivas, who has 2 acres of land cultivating mango and cashew, urged the government to show a way for all the families in Duvvanipalem.

Sarpanch of Gambheeram B Ramana said, “It is a prestigious thing for us to have IIM in our Mandal but there should be equal justice.” He said the officials made a proposal of insufficient compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh per acre. The issue to acquire land is also being resisted by the Transport Department which has its Scientific Driving Track there and the RTA officials met the Collector urging him not to take over their track which was built at a cost of Rs 10 crore by the government. The track, the biggest in AP, came into operation in June last.

By:Muttevi Sri Lakshmi

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