Correct 40-year-old wrong, say Navi Mumbai farmers

The Navi Mumbai airport has been cleared for take-off and everyone is rejoicing except the farmers who gave away their land to the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) to develop the town in 1970.

“Almost 90% of those farmers have not received their compensations yet. We are waiting for the government to solve those issues first and then come to us for land acquisition for the airport,” says Mahindra Patil, sarpanch of Paargaon, 5km from Panvel station.

Farmers were promised 12.5% of land per hectare, job for one person per family with the Cidco and regularisation of the houses they built after their land was taken away.

Ashok Daur, 40, a farmer-turned-contractor, gave Cidco 1.5 acres for Rs15,000 per acre.

Of the 12.5% per hectare, he got 10% land. He is fighting with the Cidco for Rs50,000. Moreover, his file went missing from the court. Also, none of his family members are employed with Cidco.

The story of Ganesh Patil, 45, a farmer-turned-shopkeeper who gave Cidco 3.5 acres for Rs15,000 per acre, is similar. He fought with Cidco for Rs4.5 lakh and won the case but did not receive the money. None of his family members are employed with Cidco. Narayan Mundkar, 54, too, gave 3.5 acres, fought for Rs5 lakh and won the case but did not receive any money.

Bhagirath Jitekar, 30, a farmer-turned-toll naka employee is fighting for Rs1.37 crore. He gave 3 acres of land for Rs15,000 per acre. His case is still pending. None of his family members are employed with Cidco.