Land acquisition: Drainage Dept releases Rs 118 cr

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, May 21

The state Drainage Department has released Rs 117.89 crore to farmers of nine villages whose land was acquired in 2006 for the widening of the Ghaggar. The Tribune has been regularly highlighting the issue of pending payment.

“The department has issued three demand drafts worth Rs 117.89 crore. I have sent that to the land acquisition officer-cum-SDM, Moonak. After verification, the SDM will transfer the amount to bank accounts of farmers whose land was acquired by the department,” said Ghanshyam Thori, Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur.

In 2006, the state government had acquired 592 acres from farmers of nine villages. But dissatisfied with the compensation, the farmers approached a Sangrur court. After losing the case in the Sangrur court, they filed petitions in the Punjab and Haryana High Court for enhanced compensation.

In February, 60 of 110 farmers had filed another petition in a local court for the release of their money. However, in March the department assured to release Rs 120 crore to farmers till April 30.

“Though the department has released Rs 117.89 crore of 60 farmers, the total amount is around Rs 250 crore. The department should release the remaining amount to other farmers also. We will take legal action in coming days if the department fails to release the remaining amount,” said Lalit Garg, counsel of farmers.