VISAKHAPATNAM:The state government’s decision to pay compensation to the occupants of lands allotted to the IIM-Vizag at Gambheeram has seemingly rattled the beehive. In a fresh row, the farmers, who were occupants of lands allotted to the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER), interrupted the construction of SAMEER’s compound wall on Tuesday demanding payment of compensation.
Having overcome major initial hiccups like delay in land allotment and heavy lease rate, the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), in September 2014, handed over 13 acres to SAMEER, an autonomous body under the department of Electronics and Information Technology in the Union Ministry of Communications and IT. The Central government will invest `80 crore for the establishment of an Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) research centre in the 13-acre land at Gambheeram.
When SAMEER officials went to inspect the site, they found the land occupied by some local farmers who agreed to vacate once the works commence. Surprisingly, the APIIC handed over the land to SAMEER without settling the compensation to a couple of farmers whose D-patta lands were also part of the site. However, everyone agreed to settle the issue amicably and following an assurance from the APIIC officials and the farmers, SAMEER authorities handed over the civil works to the central public works department (CPWD). But, the recent agreement between the district administration and the occupants of IIM-Vizag lands fuelled the monetary aspirations of the SAMEER land occupants.
“The package offered for land allotted to the occupants of IIM-Vizag has inflamed the aspirations of farmers. They are now demanding payment of a similar compensation, failing which they are refusing to yield,” said an APIIC official.
He added that the district administration has promised to sort out the issue before completing the re-survey of the land. However, the farmers are reluctant to part with their lands unless due compensation is paid to them.
“Why should there be different rules for farmers who have been cultivating these lands for the past few decades? The government should rethink and treat us on par with the farmers who cultivated the lands allotted to IIM-V,” said Chinna Rajam, of Dukkavanipalem.
On condition of anonymity, a senior officer with the district revenue department said that the IIM-V land dispute has put them in a fix after minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao assured the occupants of providing them with compensation, despite the land belonging to the government.
“Though the IIM-V incident was treated as an exception, more occupants of government lands in the garb of farmers are trying to extort money from the government. We are working out a strategy to deal with such issues in future,” he added.