SHIMLA: Bhumi Adhigrahan Prabhavit Manch (BAPM) on Friday sent a 14-point charter of demands to President of India, demanding factor 2 compensation for the acquired land and removal of irregularities in acquisition of land for the four-lane and other projects in Himachal Pradesh.
The farmers under the banner of Bhumi Adhigrahan Prabhavit Manch(BAPM) from Shimla, Solan, Mandi and other districts, sent the 14-point memorandum of demands to the President through National Highway Authority of India Regional Officer Abdul Basit.
Manch demand the farmers whose land have been acquired for mainly for the four lane or other projects, should be compensated with the four times the market rate under factor 2.
Apart from this, Manch also demand elimination of all irregularities, inequalities and discrimination in land acquisition process.
State President, BAPM, BR Kaundal said there have been serious irregularities in land acquisition in the state.
“Due to the mistakes and discriminatory attitude of the National Highways Authority of India and the administrative officials, as many as 5 thousand cases are pending in the courts”, he charged.
Because of the stubborn attitude of the state BJP government, the affected farmers have to spend lakhs of rupees in the court.
Kaundal accused NHAI of rampant corruption at the grassroots level.
“Even surveys are being changed to give benefits to political pressure and influential people”, he charged.
He further alleged the retired officers who have been appointed for land acquisition are engrossed in rampant corruption and openly demand bribe from the people.
Manch also demanded the removal of such officers.
State President of Himachal Kisan Sabha, Dr. Kuldip Singh Tanwar said that people have lost faith in NHAI and they have given up hope of any kind of justice from it.
He said that even today the land acquisition affected farmers had come to the office of NHAI only after making up their mind to stage protest.
Dr. Tanwar said at present the Regional Officers and Project Directors in NHAI are of positive thinking. “So it can be hoped that the affected people will get justice”.
At the same time, the delegation made a demand before the Regional Officer Abdul Basit that the process of grievance redressal should be started at the district level so that people do not suffer.
Mr. Abdul Basit agreed to this proposal.
Dr. Tanwar also raised the issue of damage caused by debris from National Highway at Chamiyana and Malyan on Shoghi-Dhalli bypass before the Regional Officer.
The debris and slush have rendered the cultivable land of the farmers barren and washed away the top soil, the farmers charged.
In this, the regional officer assured that soon this road will be repaired. Rs 25 crore has been released for this.
