Farmers continue to protest over town planning scheme

The farmers are protesting against the increase in the percentage of farming land acquired in the name of development and town planning.

They are also demanding a revision in the price of land acquired as per the recent land rates.

“The entire Town Planning Scheme is a sham as the government is not following the rules and regulations of the Act. They are luring farmers by saying that land rate will increase after development in the area,but there is no development on the land already acquired,” said Hasmukh Bhatt,president of the Vadodara Shaheri Sankulan Khedut Mandal.

He added: “Earlier,under the scheme,20 to 30 per cent of the land was acquired. Now,they want 40 per cent of the land. The farmers are not just losing out on major chunks of their land,but are also not getting a fair deal for the same.”

The farmers had initially submitted a memorandum to the district collector and had taken out rallies.

But with no prompt response,they now plan to shut down the talati offices in the villages till they get a reply.

“The High Court has already issued a showcause notice and we are taking the matter to the Supreme Court. The farmers are being fooled by the state government,” Bhatt added.