As farmers in Tappal are preparing to observe August 14 as Martyrs Day in memory of those killed in the violence over land acquisition on the Yamuna Expressway last year,the Uttar Pradesh government and Centre are busy wooing them in their own ways.
While the state government has dangled the carrot of a Rs 21-crore package for creating certain facilities in Tappal,Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has invited the farmers to New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss their problems and hear suggestions on a new land Bill.
The state package is part of the supplementary demands for grants which Finance Minister Lalji Verma presented in the Assembly on Tuesday. It includes Rs 11.23 crore for construction of cement concrete roads and drainage systems in villages under four gram sabhas under Tappal block,namely Tappal,Kansera,Jikarpur,Jahangarh,and a revenue village Kripalpur. Besides,Rs 5 crore is proposed for construction of a 16-km-long bypass in Jattari town of Tappal block.
Speaking to The Indian Express from Tappal,Shashi Singh,former president of Tappal block development committee,said,Mere announcements or walks with farmers will not solve problems. After Rahul Gandhi undertook a yatra through our area last month,we had sought appointment with a minister in central government who can do something about our problems. Today,we got the information that Jairam Ramesh has given us time for Wednesday.