BJP MLA’s protest for better land rate halts work on Railways’ freight corridor

The district administration, however, claimed that Solanki is creating hindrance as she wants higher compensation for a piece of land in Khanpur village, which belongs to her relatives. “I tried explaining to her several times that maximum compensation has been paid. We cannot give higher compensation just because her relative’s land is being acquired,” Vishal Singh, Additional District Magistrate (Executive) told The Indian Express.

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On the other hand, Solanki claimed her fight is for the farmers’ cause. “Is it wrong to protest if an MLA’s or her relative’s land is being acquired at low price? Are all the farmers in the affected 12 villages my relatives? Can’t an MLA be a farmer and protest to raise her demands? I am not against the project but for higher compensation to the farmers,” she claimed.

On Thursday, Solanki reached Khanpur village near Gangraul Halt where the work for the project is going on and sat on dharna along with farmers. They forced the earth moving machines at the construction site to leave.

The MLA claimed that farmers in Khurja were paid only Rs 732 per square metre as compensation for their land. “It is ridiculous.
Farmers’ land is being looted. The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), which had acquired land in same area, has paid Rs 1,400 to Rs 4,000 per sqm. I will not allow this to happen. Work will not be allowed. Farmers should get compensation at four times the circle rate as announced by the state government,” Solanki said.

She also said that at present the farmers are getting compensation at the rate of Rs 3.50 lakh per bigha, while the private rate is over Rs 7 lakh per bigha. The farmers were still sitting on dharna at construction site on Friday and the movement has spread to nearly 13 villages including Khanpur, Nagla Banshi, Sikanderpur, Kamalpur, Bair, and Bhadaula.

“Nearly 10 days back, I had met Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu and apprised him about the situation. The minister informed me that land acquisition was done by state government and his ministry is paying the compensation as quoted by the former. He even committed that if higher compensation was demanded by state government, it will be paid,” she claimed.

Solanki said that after meeting Prabhu, she held talks with district administration but only got assurance. When told that the project is on top priority of the central government, the MLA claimed that even they should be sympathetic towards farmers’ plight.

“Whosoever it is, state or central government, both have to listen to farmers’ demand with a sympathetic attitude else work will not be allowed,” she claimed.

The ADM (Executive), Vishal Singh, meanwhile said, “The land acquisition process has been completed. Every compensation, after deciding all the appeals, has been paid including Rs 10,000 as ex-gratia to every farmer. Since it is a different project, we cannot pay compensation like YEIDA,” he said.

Contacted, state BJP president Laxmikant Bajpai defended Solanki. “The compensation that is being given (was decided) before the new land acquisition ordinance came into force. So, the state government can increase the amount in this case with mutual consent of the farmers. Whatever compensation state government decides with farmers, we will ensure that it is paid by the Railways,” Bajpai said.

He denied that Solanki owns any land in the area which is being acquired for the project. “Obviously an MLA is a public representative and has to attend to grievances of farmers,” he added.

The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor constructed by Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCL), an enterprise of Indian Railways, with a length of 1,839 kilometres, will offer a route dedicated to movement of various goods. Traversing through six states, its major portion will fall in Uttar Pradesh. It will cross 19 districts of UP, covering 1,049 kilometres. In UP, it will enter from Gautam Budh Nagar and travel to Chandauli before entering Bihar. UP government expects an investment of Rs 20,000 crore through this corridor.