In Dimple Yadav constituency,SP poll promise halts land acquisition

Before becoming Chief Minister,Akhilesh had represented Kannauj thrice in the Lok Sabha in 1999,2004 and 2009. Dimple was elected unopposed to the Lok Sabha from Kannauj earlier this year.

Several development projects were announced for Kannauj by the Chief Minister after assuming office. These included an engineering college,a paramedical institute,a dairy plant,a PAC headquarter building,a central school,an inter college and a degree college for girls.

Since land was not available at the district headquarters,the administration chose Tirwa tehsil,about 18 km away,for these projects. In the first phase,the administration identified 56 acre land in Sakhauli and Siyapur Kachi villages for setting up an engineering institute and a paramedical institute along with a trauma centre.

The land belongs to 142 farmers,most of whom are insisting on compensation six times the circle rate. The present circle rate is Rs 27 lakh per acre for land on the main road,Rs 15 lakh per acre for land situated on an internal road and Rs 10 lakh per acre for other land.

Several rounds of talks have been held between the district administration and farmers,but the deadlock persists. The farmers have also formed a Kisan Sangharsh Samiti. “We are demanding only what is written in the SP’s poll manifesto. We will not settle for anything less,” said Janki Prasad Verma,a farmer whose two acre land in Sakhauli village is to be acquired.

Besides,the farmers want government job for one member of each family member and one pucca house,which too were promised in the SP manifesto. They have threatened to launch an agitation if the land was acquired forcibly.

Former MP Ram Bakhs Singh of BJP,who is associated with the Samiti,said,“We are not against development,but those affected should get adequate compensation. They are asking only what is promised in the SP manifesto.”

Others like Om Prakash Rajput,a resident of Siyapur Kachi and who is also secretary of the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti,are against land acquisition. “The SP had promised that it will not take fertile land. Most farmers here have only small holdings and if it is acquired,they will be ruined,” he said.

On the other hand,District Magistrate Dr Adarsh Singh said the land required for the projects will be acquired and ruled out payment of compensation which is six times the circle rate. “Already the circle rate of the area has been revised. It is on the higher side than the prevailing market rate. I am hopeful that a solution will emerge after dialogue with farmers,” he said.

Surprisingly,even SP leaders are against land acquisition. “When barren land of Gram Sabha is available,the government should better set up the engineering college there instead of taking away fertile land of farmers. District officials are misleading the government. I will apprise the CM of the reality,” said Vijay Bahadur Pal,SP MLA. “If the district administration takes the land forcibly,there will large-scale protests.”