Farmers to launch protest against land acquisition in Gujarat

More than 2,000 farmers are set to lose their fertile land in Sanand where the Gujarat government has initiated process to acquire more than 5,000 acres land for industrial purpose.

The land to be acquired is near Tata's Nano plant which was shifted from Singur in West Bengal to Chharodi village near Sanand in Ahmedabad district. The Nano plant is under construction and likely to be commissioned in March-April next year.

The government's move to acquire fertile agriculture lands for industry has agitated the farmers who are dependent on the lands for livelihood, Zalabhai Patel, a farmer who is set to lose 150 acres land in acquisition.

Ever since the notification regarding the acquisition was published by the state revenue department on December 4, farmers to be affected have been holding meetings in Haripura, Charal, Bol and Siyawada villages and have decided to launch
an agitation against the acquisition of their lands.

"We will not part with our land which is fertile and we take three crops a year because of irrigation from Narmada canal," Patel said.

"My extended family of more than 200 people will be workless if the source of our earning is taken away from us," he said ruefully, complaining about the government's move.According to him, the land is fertile and farmers grow paddy, wheat, pulses and vegetables. "We don't understand why the government wants such fertile lands for industry," he asked.

Even other farmers to be affected from the move echo similar feelings saying they will be rendered workless if their lands are taken away from them.

"We don't want compensation or any relief package in exchange of the land we are depended upon," Ramanbhai Patel, a farmer from Hirapur said, adding that the government should use waste land for industry.

"Farmers have been holding meetings in affected villages. They are coming together and a committee will be set up to launch a stir against the land acquisition by Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC)," Bahadurbhai Majithia, a local social worker said.

According to him, farmers are determined not to let their lands go for industry, which will make them lose their livelihood.

The farmers have suggested alternative sites where lands are barren and could be used for industry, he said.

However, when contacted, GIDC managing director Arvind Aggarwal said that GIDC will offer a suitable compensation and relief package for the affected farmers. "We will not acquire lands for industry without consent of the farmers. We will have dialogue with them and try to evolve a suitable package for them," Aggarwal said, adding, "we will also accomodate the farmers in the industrial units to be set up there".

He assured that no piece of land will be acquired forcefully. "We will not budge from our position. At no cost we will part with our land," Raman Patel added.