Greater Faridabad farmers threaten to boycott LS poll

Bijendra Ahlawat

Farmers of Greater Faridabad are unhappy with the government for not releasing enhanced compensation for hundreds of acres acquired for development projects several years ago. As the Lok Sabha elections are approaching, various farmers' associations have started upping the ante against the government and sending signals to political parties that they may decide to boycott the poll or vote against the BJP. 

“HUDA had acquired the land of around 750 farmers belonging to Kheri Kalan, Kheri Khurd, Neemka, Badoli, Mirzapur, Bhatola, Prahladpur, Faridpur, Fajjupur, Bhudena, Baselva, Bhopani, Riwazpur, Tikawali, Bhadshahpur, Palwali, Wazirpur, Tajupur and Mavai villages in Faridabad. While Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act was imposed in 2008, the compensation was first awarded in 2010. As the land was acquired mainly for the development of infrastructure such as master roads and public amenities in newly carved out sectors (80 to 89) of Greater Faridabad, the announcement of Rs 16 lakh per acre of compensation made farmers unhappy and they started opposing it and demanding compensation commensurate with market rates,” says Satpal Narwat, president of the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti Neharpar, Faridabad. He says that the compensation was revised to Rs 42 lakh in 2010, but the affected farmers moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court for higher compensation and got the relief. We have been awaiting the release of Rs 2,200 crore for 1,029 acres since 2015,” he adds. 

Narwat says despite several meetings with the officials concerned and representations, the government is yet to release the pending amount of compensation, leading to resentment among farmers. “We have decided that we will boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha elections if the government makes no favourable decision in this regard,” he adds. A panchayat may be convened in March to decide the future strategy. 

The IMT Kisan Sangharsh Samiti having 2,610 farmer members from six villages of Ballabhgarh subdivision of Faridabad district. Ram Niwas Nagar, president of the samiti, says the HSIIDC, which had acquired 1,832 acres belonging to 2,610 farmers of Chandawali, Machhghar, Newada, Tigaon, Mujheri and Sotai villages in 2008, has not released the enhanced compensation of Rs 600 crore till date. 

He says the enhanced compensation amount is due since September 2014 but despite assurances from the authorities concerned and the local MP as well, nothing has happened. “Even Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had given us an assurance during a visit to Faridabad on June 16 last year, but farmers are still to get their dues,” he adds. 

A meeting with the Additional Principal Secretary on October 28, 2018, and another meeting with the ADC, Faridabad, on October 31, 2018, also did not yield favourable results, says Narwat. The promise of allotment of alternative residential plots to farmers and jobs to local unemployed youths has also not been fulfilled properly. “Though we have decided to cast our votes in the upcoming elections, we will vote against the ruling party if the payment of the enhanced compensation is not released soon,” he adds.