Vedanta-Foxconn shift: Frustration, anger in Maharashtra village as promise of Rs 73 lakh/acre compensation disappears

For over a year, the MIDC had been seeking to acquire our land for the project. But only since January, the process gained momentum after all the villagers joined hands and decided to offer their land for the Vedanta-Foxconn project,” he said.

A senior MIDC official said the acquisition of land at Talegaon had been done three to four years ago, and the MIDC was in the process of paying the compensation to the farmers. The official said the land acquisition was not specific to the Vedanta-Foxconn project and can be utilised for setting up other industrial units.

However, Gholap stressed that the farmers were all told that their land was being acquired for the Vedanta-Foxconn project.

MIDC officials held four-five meetings with us in connection with the Vedanta-Foxconn project. We were repeatedly told that land was being acquired for the Vedanta-Foxconn project and the entire industrial scenario of Talegaon MIDC would change. Initially, the villagers were reluctant to give up their land. But when MIDC officials convinced us about the compensation amount and benefits like jobs and other opportunities for the youngsters that would be accrued to the local population, everyone gave their consent. We were all happy because farming had become expensive and unremunerative for all of us, he said.

Ambale village has 1,600 acres of land in and around its boundary line. Over 100 families and their close relatives live in the village. The Government had decided not to touch the gaonthan land but instead acquire land on the periphery of this particular village. Gholap claimed farmers were offered Rs 73 lakh per acre of land.

Of the total land around Ambale village, MIDC officials initially told us that 1,400-acre land would be required for the project. Later, they said the two companies Vedanta and Foxconn wanted 1,100-acre land. The land that we offered is the agricultural holding available with each family of the village, he said.

Deputy sarpanch Hanumant Hande seconded Gholap’s claim. We had given consent for the acquisition of and given the benefits for the children and future generations. Our children are highly educated. And therefore we thought instead of going to places like Mumbai and Bengaluru in search of a job, why not allow the project which would bring jobs as well as an opportunity for setting up ancillary units. Those who wanted a job would have got one as the MIDC had promised to give priority to the villagers. Besides, we were told that those who wanted to set up their own ancillary units would have also got support from the two companies,” said Hande.

Gholap said the MIDC officials initiated the dialogue with them in the last year. I think at least four meetings were held in connection with the multi-billion dollar semi-conductor project. We were specifically informed about the projects and their benefits,he said.

Hande said the last meeting was held around January. It was in the last meeting the villagers gave their full consent for setting up of the project. And it was three months back, the payment process started,he said.

Hande said his family holds 22 acres of land. Our entire family which includes my brothers and sisters were expecting Rs 14 crore as they had offered Rs 73 lakh per acre. But since we had asked them for 15 per cent buyback of land, we would have got a compensation of Rs 12 crore. Our files are already pending with the MIDC office, he said.

Vilas Bhangare, a 40-year-old farmer from Ambali village and his family were looking for maximum benefit from the acquisition of their land. We hold 60 acres of farm land. We get an annual income of Rs 30 lakh which we distributed among all our relatives. We offered the agricultural land as agriculture income has become highly uncertain and was subject to vagaries of nature. Sometimes due to heavy rain, we suffer heavy losses, he said.

Hoping to get jobs and a big sum, Bhangare said, “My own four-acre land has been acquired by MIDC. One acre of land has already been acquired. I have received Rs 73 lakh per acre. Besides, four-five relatives have received compensation. Those who want 15 per cent of buyback of land have received Rs 62 lakh per acre.

Nandu Pansare, a farmer, said, When for the first time, we were told about the project, we were not interested. We were not ready to part with our land though farming brought us little income to survive. Most of us are paddy farmers which are cultivated twice a year. But during our meeting with MIDC officials, we realised that huge compensation, jobs and other benefits and opportunities for the people living here. We all got convinced about it. It brought a fresh ray of hope to our live as we were not getting adequate income from farming and other allied activities like the milk business. However, now all of us are shaken by the latest development. When things have been finalised and moved much ahead, how then suddenly ditch us like this…Our hopes have been dashed,” he said, echoing the views of several other villagers.

Hande said they will make all efforts to get back the project. Though no memorandum of understanding was signed with the state government by the two companies, the project had moved ahead in Talegaon. The process of acquiring land and giving our compensation had already gone much ahead. If they now renege on their promise, it is bad by law. We will knock on all doors to get the project. All the villagers are angry and frustrated, he said.

Gholap said they continue to protest against the project going to Gujarat. Early this week when it was announced that the project has gone to Gujarat, we held a meeting with all the villagers. Each one seemed like was rattled. There was a lot of anger among them. It is understandable when they snatch an entire plate of food already served to you…We are approaching the government to bring back the project, he said.
____________________________________