Why coercion for land acquisition, asks HC

HYDERABAD: In a major embarrassment to the Telangana government, the Hyderabad High Court directed the government not to disturb the farmers who are not willing to give their lands for Palamuru-Ranga Reddy lift irrigation scheme. “Why is the government resorting to coercion in obtaining consent of the farmers under GO Ms No.123 issued to procure lands for its projects?”, the court asked Telangana government.   

Justice A Rajasheker Reddy was dealing with a petition filed by B Swamy Rao and 23 other farmers of Karukonda village in Bijinapally mandal in Mahabubnagar district, alleging that the government was forcing them to give away their lands. 

In a major embarrassment to the Telangana government, the Hyderabad High Court directed the government not to disturb the farmers who are not willing to give their lands for Palamuru-Ranga Reddy lift irrigation scheme. “Why is the government resorting to coercion in obtaining consent of the farmers under GO Ms No.123 issued to procure lands for its projects?”, the court asked Telangana government.   

Justice A Rajasheker Reddy was dealing with a petition filed by B Swamy Rao and 23 other farmers of Karukonda village in Bijinapally mandal in Mahabubnagar district, challenging the action of the revenue authorities in resorting to coercive methods to make them sign the consent agreement forms to give away their lands for Vattem reservoir under the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation project.

The petitioners urged the court to direct the authorities not to continue with land acquisition drive as they were not willing to hand over the land as per the conditions under the impugned GO 123. They demanded `25 lakh per acre as the consideration amount.  

The counsel appearing for the state government refuted the allegations that the authorities were pressurising the farmers to give away their lands for construction of the reservoir.

While responding to the contention of the government counsel, the judge queried if that was the case then why the authorities were taking signatures of the farmers on blank notarised affidavits. If the farmers were not coerced, why would they come before this court?,” the judge asked.

Advocates Rachana and NS Arjun Kumar, appearing for the petitioners, produced the blank affidavits before the court and informed the judge that farmers were being pressurised to give away their lands.

Justice Rajasheker Reddy directed the Mahabubnagar district collector to consider the representation made by the farmers to the District Level Land Procurement Committee before taking any further action, and disposed of the petition.